The Story of the Sweatshirt
Sometimes you buy a piece of clothing by chance because it’s on sale, and you know it will get worn at some point. This delicious black sweatshirt was bought in TJ Maxx two years ago whilst on a holiday to Las Vegas. I bought it on a whim, yet it became my absolute favourite top, especially when travelling. It’s not too thick nor too thin. It’s plain black and cosy as pyjamas, yet it looks as decent as a top.
This Monday, I was getting ready for my usual power walk. I was multitasking, as I always do, chatting to my daughter and looking for my top. Alas, I couldn’t find it. It bothered me terribly, but I kept on going. I am a minimalist, so I only have one such top. Also, it’s perfect for brisk walks because as I heat up, I can wrap it around my waist easily. I came back from my walk. I had a few spare minutes to rummage through my cupboard and husband’s drawers, but the sweatshirt was nowhere to be found.
I have a fabulous relationship with G-d.
I talk to Him all day, and this was definitely going to be part of my conversation.
“Dear G-d, thank you for a good night’s sleep and that I woke up so refreshed.” (Start with gratitude – that’s what Modeh Ani is)!
“G-d,” I continued, “you know how much I like that sweatshirt, and I really need it. I’m going to pray to you now and put some extra money in the Pushka (charity box), and I know you will help me find it soon! Thank you”.
I prayed, gave charity and put my mind in a positive frame. ‘It’s already good,’ I decided. The morning passed, and nothing happened. Mid-morning, as I was washing some dishes, G-d, in His infinite kindness, put this thought in my mind. “Remember, Sori, on Sunday, the grandchildren came swimming, and your husband collected all the kid’s clothing into a pile. Well, it’s gone to their house in the pile of clothing”.
Another important detail was that exactly that morning, my daughter from seminary texted me to tell me she had to do a project on mums and daughters and could only find one picture of me. I asked what picture she chose, hoping I looked decent. Well, guess what, out of all the pictures she chose, it is one of me wearing THAT black sweatshirt on route to Israel.
When I texted Sara regarding the sweatshirt, she asked what it looked like. By G-d’s grace, I had the picture handy from Chanale and forwarded it straight to Sara. “Oh yes, she replied. I have the sweatshirt. I thought it belonged to my daughter’s friend.”
“No,” I said,” it’s mine!”
Do you know, friends, G-d loves us and wants a connection with us, from the minor details to the major ones, He Is our dear father in heaven. One might think, “How could I have disturbed G-d with my silly sweatshirt, He has bigger things to deal with!” Indeed, that is entirely true, yet what one must understand is that G-d can handle everything and is not limited to just the big deals of life.
השלך על ה והוא יכלכלך
Cast your burdens onto G-d, and He will deal with them.
Chassidus teaches us that G-d is boundless.
Bitachon comes from the Hebrew root word, Betach which means for sure. For sure I put my trust in G-d, and I knew the outcome would be good!
It doesn’t mean that I was guaranteed that I would find the sweatshirt, but since I put my trust in G-d, I know that whatever the outcome was, it would be good.
The other day I was talking to the same daughter in seminary, who told me that she missed three buses and only arrived to Tzfat (where she is studying) very late at night.
In her own words: “Mummy, I missed my buses, but you can’t believe the Hashgacha Pratis (Divine Providence). We met this woman, and she was all alone with a bunch of kids and lots of luggage. Since we missed the busses, we could stay with her and help her, with all the kids, and all their Pekelach (Yiddish for lots of little luggages). See, mummy, G-d makes everything happen for a reason!”
The Baal Shem Tov teaches us that even when the wind blows, which makes a leaf twirl and swirl and then fall right upon a worm, protecting it from the harsh sunshine, it is all directed by G-d.
A person generally thinks he has “help from Hashem” – in other words, he does most of the work, but Hashem helps out. The truth is – it is not like that at all. Even a person’s own efforts come only from Hashem’s power. All the persons good thoughts and the energy to work and acquire things are all gifts from Hashem.
May we all merit seeing the gifts, teach this, and live by this in our daily lives.