Nachamu Ami

Part 2, Ten for the Soul

2009 hurtles to October, the tenth month in the Julian calendar. For those Jewish this remains the seventh month, Tisrei that ushers in the head days of a new year, Rosh Hashanah. Then follows ten Days of Awe, and finally Yom Kippur, this Saturday.

How does ten days affect a soul? In those Days of Awe I’m told a Jew tries to amend his or her behavior of the past year and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God (bein adam lemakom) and against other human beings (bein adam lechavero). Those Days of Awe would affect one Gentile gal.

Just before Rosh Hashanah, my longtime Christian pal began a ten-day Deep South visit. She helped decorate my home while staying with her daughter’s family. Tisrei is a holy celebration month. But for my pal’s family, September’s a celebration month of special dates galore, especially THE birthdate for a cutie granddaughter, whose home’s front door proclaimed “I’m 1!” in bold 10,000 font-size lettering.

My girlfriend’s family scheduled the party late afternoon Saturday. That morning her Nana, my beloved hubby, and I attended our first Rosh Hashanah service . . . for messianic believers.

In a rented humble church, we found worshippers hugging, chatting. In the back sat a table with hot coffee, apple slices, and honey bowls. The worship team ambled the front platform with a wooden cross, topped with thorns and the letters, GRACE. To one side sat a woman, projector, and portable screen. On the other side stood men in yarmulke caps and snowy prayer shawls. When the men blew curved shofars, the congregants scurried to their seats.

Two women sang the harmonic Hebrew spoken millennia ago by the poet Isaiah: Nachamu Ami, Comfort my people.

The worship leader prayed we would enter the presence of God. As we drifted between ancient liturgical chants and contemporary G-d songs, MBH, my pal, and I raised hands. Joy wrapped us in awe. By faith we affirmed our Creator, Judge, Author of Enduring Books WAS and IS and IS TO FOREVER BE the great I Am.

The three-hour worship I so needed, along with friends who helped to uphold me. In those ten Days of Awe the foundation of my faith would be tested. My Buddy still had no job. My Maria’s days at work dwindled. And last Thursday I learned my eldest son, Miguel, would lose his job September 30th.

Yom Kippur starts this sundown, the celebration of the Almighty sealing the Book of Life with names of His Redeemed. This Gentile mom can rejoice. In that book rests these names: Buddy, Maria, Miguel!
Is your name there as well?