The usual condensation on the windows and glass doors had evaporated during the night so I awoke to the sun shining brightly throughout the house. The heavy humidity had finally subsided and the air was breathable despite the 82-degree temperature. My Sunday schedule was open –no office, no tennis, only the papers to read on a sunny, breezy morning, comfortable on my patio. Yet the day was not peaceful in the world, especially in the Middle East. The human devastation on both sides of the Israeli-Hamas conflict is harrowing. Patti suggested it would be a good time to sit among other churchgoers at the Royal Poinciana Chapel, a non-denominational house of worship. Such a response would be unusual for me. Even after 9/11, I only wanted to be with my family, huddled at the Carlyle Hotel in New York as the day’s events unraveled. Yet this time I accepted the idea of listening to the comforting and judicious words of a clergyman, hopefully bent on soothing our hearts during this time of unbridled human destruction.
The parishioners were friendly and we found a pew close enough for me to clearly hear the pastor. His sermon was entitled, “Our Hearts Are Restless.” He spoke about a recent summer trip with his family to Israel and about his support for Israel. He was very comfortable in Jerusalem as he visited the sacred sites. However, upon visiting Bethlehem, a city in the area governed by the Palestinian Authority, he felt some hostility from the locals when he identified himself as an American. He invited us all to a public rally for Israel in West Palm Beach that afternoon organized by clergy from different denominations.
My heart is restless over the imminent Israeli invasion into Gaza, where Israeli hostages are held—and where there are many innocent children. I try to balance this response against the deadly terrorism by Hamas only a week ago upon Israeli communities and kibbutzim along the border. I cannot watch the pictures on the news of the children in both Israel and Gaza suffering. I find some solace in the words of the pastor: “Look to God for your comfort and protection.”
I waited until the very end of the line to greet the pastor. I shook his hand and introduced myself. I expressed my appreciation for his sermon. I told him I am a member of a synagogue down the road and he asked me to convey his best wishes to my Rabbi.
I am ready and stronghearted for tomorrow’s news, horrific as it certainly will be.
