Life is Full of Challenges and Hurray It's the Eighth Night of Hanukkah

This is my second year observing Hanukkah since I started attending Sar Shalom, Messianic Jewish Congregation.  It is my first Hanukkah observance since my conversion this past summer.  This Hanukkah season I received a wonderful gift from the woman in our congregation who runs Junior Congregation.  She shared a book that she uses for her family candle lighting.  She put this book together herself referencing her favorite authors on Jewish festivals and Hanukkah.  She sent me the pages, and I compiled my own.  Joy!   History and Torah all in one.  I read from it for seven nights.  More Joy!   (Not tonight though, Hanukkah party at Sar Shalom.)

I'm reflecting on what has changed from last Hanukkah...

Last year I read strictly from the Siddur.  This year I didn't.  Nothing wrong with that.
 
Last year there was a "little" angst from the kids over my not doing the Christmas tree.  Not this year. Hanukkah decorations went up.  Next year we'll do more.
 
Last year we sang Hanukkah songs in the house.  This year Hanukkah songs were included in the songs the children sang to our neighbors. My daughter directed.

Last year for Hanukkah my family here in Texas totaled 5.  This year more family moved to Texas making us 13.  I didn't include my sister who is visiting.  And how do the children feel about Hanukkah?  They love Hanukkah!

Last year I didn't know much about the Maccabees or Hanukkah.  This year I know more.  Hopefully, next year I'll remember more. 

The miracle of Hanukkah in brief.  A band of untrained agrarians, led by righteous men of G-d - the Maccabees, defeat the Greek army and rededicate the desecrated temple in Jerusalem.  A jug of undefiled oil is found to light the temple's menorah, enough to last only one day.  It lasts for eight, thereby, giving the priests just the right amount of time to prepare consecrated oil.  
Read more here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maccabees

Now getting to the Life is Full of Challenges part.  We face challenges every day, financial, emotional, psychological, physical, relational, medical.  All of us.  Some challenges last days, some weeks, some months, and some a lifetime.  Some of us can speak very clearly on one type of challenge or another.  It can be very personal, very painful. 

As believers, the challenges we face can help mold us into better people if we accept them as tests designed to equip us with more strength of character, endurance, faith, trust and hope.  Rabbi taught on this today.  Ultimately, all our tests are allowed by HaShem.  What is our response when they come?

Although, my heart was heavy tonight over the personal challenges I am facing, (minutia really in the scheme of things) I was able to rejoice in the miracle of Hanukkah.  I was/am able to identify with the Maccabees in their refusal to compromise their beliefs.  The Hellenistic Jews were okay with pagan practices.  Not so the Maccabees.  Note to self: be more like them.