"Making Pancakes" I was recently asked the question by one of our members, "Does G-d get mad at us when we make mistakes?” Or how about the times when we try to do something good and things don't go according to plan, At times, we mess up. How are we supposed to feel? What is our next step?" The answer is, none of us are perfect and not all that we do is perfect. But what G-d does want from us is not to give up on ourselves, just go out there and do our best. The trick is to keep jogging the road of life. Even if we trip or stumble on a stone in the roadway or get tired when the road goes uphill. It reminded me of the story "Making Pancakes". Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to surprise his parents and fix his them pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy canister of flour., it slipped from his tiny hands spilling it on the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands. Then he mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, (and he didn't know how the stove worked!). Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of the pancake mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky, and when he thought things couldn't get any worse, just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process. That's how G-d deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage or our relationship gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when G-d picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him. But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes," for G-d or for others. Sooner or later, we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried...
A Thought to Ponder: "Caught in The Flood." A very religious man was once caught in rising floodwaters. He climbed onto the roof of his house and trusted G-d to rescue him. A neighbor came by in a canoe and said, “The waters will soon be above your house. Hop in and we’ll paddle to safety.” “No thanks” replied the religious man. “I’ve prayed to G-d and I’m sure he will save me.” A short time later the police came by in a boat. “The waters will soon be above your house. Hop in and we’ll take you to safety.” “No thanks” replied the religious man. “I’ve prayed to G-d and I’m sure he will save me.” A little time later a rescue services helicopter hovered overhead, let down a rope ladder and said, “The waters will soon be above your house. Climb the ladder and we’ll fly you to safety.” “No thanks” replied the religious man. “I’ve prayed to G-d and I’m sure he will save me.” All this time the floodwaters continued to rise, until soon they reached above the roof and the religious man drowned. When he arrived at heaven he demanded an audience with G-d. Ushered into G-d’s throne room he said, “Lord, why am I here in heaven? I prayed for you to save me; I trusted you to save me from that flood.” “Yes, you did my child” replied the Lord. “And I sent you a canoe, a boat and a helicopter. But you never got in.” Moral of the story: "Don't discard the letter because of the color of envelope ..., it just might be the answer and salvation you were looking for.”
On behalf of ALL your Chaplains, may G-d bless you and keep you safe. Should you need an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, or perhaps have some good humor to share, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Your Chaplains are here to assist you anyway we can, 24/7. If we don't have the answers, we'll try to direct you to someone who does.
Compliments of your Department Chaplain, Rabbi Moshe Wolf 773-463-4780 or email: moshewolf@hotmail.com Snail mail: 3008 W. Pratt Blvd., Chicago, IL 60645