THE JOURNEY - Day 18

WEDNESDAY - Day 12 of Iron Swords War

18.10.2023                                  High Alert

While I was talking to a friend last night, she recalled Yum Kippur War, from 50 years ago. Our age group was the serving soldiers at the time. She talked of mutual friends who fought; friends who died, and friends who returned with shell shock. It was a horrifying war that surprised the nation and left a long-lasting mourning in its wake. Many compare that war with the current war only adding that this one is bloodier and inside the borders of Israel. I'm not sure the two are comparable. The current war is not fought with an army but rather a huge group of bloodthirsty murderers without reason. Barbaric.

While we were talking the High Alert sounded, Tel Aviv and its surrounding area in Gush Dan were attacked. Rockets flew in. We hung up since it was closer to her home, and I contacted my family and friends in the area to see how they were doing.

High Alert. Our Mayor, Ronen Marelly, gave his nightly talk yesterday reminding us that unless we need to be outdoors, it is better to stay at home after 18:00. Safer for us and easier for the soldiers who are on guard. We stayed at home. It was a quiet night. Even Misty was at peace and slept well.

The Mayor is a young man, he'll be 52 on the last day of this month. He has been our mayor for 5 years now and has changed the face of Nahariya. Now, at war, he works with his team in the city hall like the IDF officer he was until he was elected. When he speaks at the end of each day, he displays assurance and security. One senses that as long as this young man leads the city, one is safe. We've lived in many cities and had many Mayors – he is the best we met. God, please continue to give Ronen Marelly wisdom and keep him & his family safe.

Biden, the US president, is landing in Israel today. He cancelled the talks with Jordan but continued to talk with Netanyahu. In Gaza, the Hamas rocketed (is that a word?) their own hospital killing many in there and blaming the attack on Israel. Was that a welcoming jester to Biden? High Alert is going off in my head – was that a warning? A diversion? Was it from God reminding us that each time, in its 4000 years of existence, when Israel tried to make a pact with a strong nation as a security, it fell flat on its face and it even caused an exile?

Why?

Because Israel did not lean on God but on a people, on another nation.

Are we doing it again by calling the USA to our aid and inviting them to walk freely into Israel? With ammunition! Are we on high alert in this area or just groping in the dark?

After a peaceful night, Willie went to the volunteer post in the hospital today, leaving me at home for a day off. Pain-free after a good night's sleep, I cleaned the house for 4.5 hours. I forgot to dust the ceiling fans, otherwise, the place would be spotless. Even the wash is done and hung on the lines outside, and the bedding is changed. He returned with cooked food at lunch and after showers, massaged my swollen feet.

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4)

It is 15 minutes before 16:00 - the artileries exchanged are sounding again in the North. 

God, we trust in you, please keep your people safe.