Elul: The King is in the field

 

    It's already going into the 12th day of Elul and I thought I'd share some of my Teshuva Moments with you, perhaps it will encourage someone.

    Since I began understanding teshuva in the month of Elul last year, I have been so privileged that G-d has taken and is taking me to deeper levels of teshuva than I ever thought possible. He started walking me through things I needed to address in my life almost a week before Elul even began. Yes, indeed, 40 days is hardly enough time!

    One of the first things He brought to my attention is the property of other people that I still have in my home. I have returned some, but there are still things lying here at the back of cupboards and on top shelves that I never use and hardly ever look at. Yet, when I do lay eyes on them, I remember that they aren't mine. But they've been here so long, I think to myself. This year, G-d is challenging me to return these items to their owners. It's theft if I don't. Some of these returns are going to be very difficult!

    Another very important thing is the animals I've had as pets over the years and how faithful they have all been to me. I have not always been able to do right by them. So I asked G-d how I could make tikkun for these dogs and cats that He has given me to care for over the years and I failed to live up to what was needed from me. It was as though He was waiting for the question, because the answer came almost immediately: Whenever you see an animal, whether or not it is in distress, show it love. Give tsedeqah to animal shelters, and offer to spend time with the animals that have been given refuge there. So I did. And so will I continue. One tikkun at a time.

    This rectification towards animals came about when I had said to G-d that I was sorry for all the people I have disappointed in life. For all the things I spoke but never did. For all the words that came out of my mouth that were never fulfilled. It was then that He brought to my memory the pets I've had over the years. All G-d's creatures are loved by Him, and He expects us to love them just as He does. The Torah is the first moral code to ever show kindness to animals as a requirement to live by.

    There are many more things G-d is bringing to light in my life as I approach the King in the field and ask Him to forgive me. As I do that, He reminds me, just as Yeshua said, that if I want Him to forgive me, I need to forgive others. Everyone.

    So, if you're reading this and have something against me in your heart or mind, I humbly ask you to forgive me. And I also hereby forgive anyone who has wronged me in any way, for any reason.

     May we all continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling,

In Yeshua's Mighty Name. Amein and Amein.