Where Does Faith Come From?

Where does faith come from?
Are we born with it or can it be created, learned, acquired along life's journey?
Last week, at this time, news began to spread in the Holyland of Israel. Three teenaged boys were waiting for a ride from their school to home. Three boys, Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Frankel, were brutally abducted by Hamas terrorists. It's been an entire week for their 3 mothers and their 3 fathers, of waiting. Praying. A week of sleepless nights for their brothers and sisters. A week that the entire Nation has prayed, cried, and begged G-d Above for their safe return.

Gilad (16), Naftali (16), Eyal (19)

Please G-d bring Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Frankel home safely to their parents! It's been a whole week that thousands of IDF soldiers have spent searching from house to house, arresting known Hamas terrorists, seeking to rescue 3 children, teenaged boys who, the week before last, were rough-housing with their friends, playing basketball and soccer, singing and playing the guitar.... being boys.

This week, the Nation watched their 3 mothers, as they made their first public appearance and their first public statements to the press. This is what we saw: 

The 3 mothers embrace

Strength. Composure. Love. Faith. Three mothers faced the cameras and spoke words of complete faith.  One of the kidnapped boys, is 16 year old, Naftali Frankel. His mother, Racheli Frankel,  spent most of her opportunity speaking to the press expressing thanks to the IDF soldiers and the hundreds of thousands of people, in Israel and around the world, who continue to pray day and night for the safe return of the 3 boys. Speaking with a clear smile and a strong voice,

  

“We want… to strengthen security forces, who are working day and night, the decision makers, and the prime minister, who is in contact with us,” she said. “We pray that all the soldiers, and our children, will come home without injury. We send our thanks to all everyone participating in this extraordinary effort.....

“During these days, we feel deeply embraced by the entire Jewish nation, which accompanies us throughout the day, which gives us so much support. We ask that the prayers continue… That’s it, all we want is to hug our children. Eyal, Gilad, Naftali, we love you, we miss you, be strong, be strong!”

The public feels a degree of complete helplessness. So many of us want to do something - ANYTHING - to assist in bringing back these 3 precious sons!!! The hashtags are out in full force;  #BringBackOurBoys #EyalGiladNaftali  Social media is flooded with minute to minute updates. News slowly leaks through, some of it true and so much of it, false. Neighbors and friends, strangers and Just People are showering the families of Our Three Boys with love and messages of support. Communities of Israel are out, in full force, showing our IDF soldiers our support and appreciation with supplies, food, and treats. People want to help. People NEED to act.

There is anger, worry, sadness, and some rage, and the overwhelming feelings and acts that I've witnessed and felt over and over again are love, faith and prayer. People of all backgrounds, all colors, all places in society standing together. We all share this immense, distinct love for these 3 kidnapped boys. We share hope and faith that they are alive and that our soldiers will find them and bring them home safely. We are praying.

Where does faith come from?

I know that I was born with some of it. I have never doubted G-d's existence however my faith in Him has grown. I cannot compare the pain of these three families with the pain of a cancer journey. It's not comparable. My Cancer Journey is merely an example of horror and tragedy strengthening my faith. I connect with Racheli Frankel and all 3 mothers, of Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali, and their ability to stand up, smiling, thanking the Nation for their prayers and kindness. They are sharing their monumental faith with us. Where does it come from? From their love for their sons? From love of G-d? I can only interpret what I see. I see 3 wives; 3 mothers who have put their existence and their beloved baby boys' fate in G-d's hands. These 3 women seem to be existing on complete faith, that no matter what happens, G-d is good. With enormous and unbreakable love and faith they are still able to smile and thank and have hope. That's faith. Where does it come from?

PLEASE continue to pray for the successful rescue and safe return of Our Boys, Eyal ben Iris Teshurah, Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim, and Yaakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah.