This week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, opens with the word “See.” Moses says to the Jewish people, “see, I place before you today a blessing and a curse.” The blessing will come when the Jewish people fulfill G‑d’s commandments, and the curse if they abandon them.
Our portion also contains the verses, “You are children to G-d” and “... G-d has chosen you to be for Him a treasured people.”
These verses beg a few questions. Which one is it, are we G-d’s children or has He chosen us? What can we learn from this for our personal relationships? Does one choose their relatives?
G-d is telling us that there are two ways he relates to us.
First – as His children. Just as a parent is one with his child and nothing can change that, so too G-d’s bond with us can never be severed, we are His children.
Second – He chooses us. He wants us and chooses us every day to be His Treasure.
Not only are we intrinsically one because of our essential bond, but G-d continues to treasure each and every one of us because He chooses to.
It is possible to be in a relationship and take for granted the fact that you are essentially one, thinking that this is enough.
Your children and your spouse ache for you to choose them every day. When you don’t, they feel hurt, taken for granted and used. It is because of the intrinsic bond that they yearn for your love.
Don’t just be your child’s parent, be a parent to your child. The same holds true for spouses, and for children toward their parents. Show them that you choose them, that you treasure them.
Don’t be difficult, don’t be stubborn, don’t make requirements for your love. Choose to give them your love because they are your treasures.
Diagnosed with ALS, unable to move, I have plenty of time to think. When considering what is most important to me, the conclusion is always the same. The most important thing is that my wife and children feel loved and cherished by me, and I try my best to show them that I do. Life is so short, make sure your family knows how much you cherish them and that you choose them over and over again.