At the end of Parshas Vayeira, the Midrash, quoted by Rashi speaks of a conversation Avraham Avinu had with himself.
After he left the Akeida, he thought, “If Yitzchak had actually been slaughtered, he would have left over no children. I must marry him off to the daughter of Aner, Eshkol, or Mamre.”
Therefore, Hashem ensured Avraham heard that Rivka had been born, so he might turn to his own family for a fitting wife for his son.
The very subtle lesson we must take from this is that when we experience close calls, we are to reflect and consider what might have been.
Avraham looked at the Akeida and pondered what would have happened had Yitzchak not been saved. He then asked himself what he could do now, to prevent that negative result.
With that, he undertook an active search for a bride for Yitzchak, with whom to continue the legacy of Avraham and of himself.
In life, most of us have had close calls: situations in which we might have suffered greatly had things gone slightly differently.
We must realize that Hashem is sending us messages, and, in His tremendous kindness, enabling us to get them without actually having to endure the situation.
We would be wise to learn from these experiences and, like Avraham, take positive steps to prevent future pain and suffering.
Thought of the week:
If G-d is your co-pilot, you’re sitting in His seat.
