THE ROAD THAT LEADS TWO WAYS

    Sometimes we wonder why our lives take such unusual turns. Does the Lord allow uncomfortable situations to occur to give us some type of great Biblical understanding? Our family was not sure. Let me explain...

    I used to try to figure out why my husband and I never seemed to be successful in our walk with the Lord. Yet, most of our friends basically considered us to be a good "Christian" family. In fact, many thought we were the ideal family with the perfect children. We attended church just about every time the doors were open. We taught children's church, AWANA Club, youth groups, Sunday school, ladies' Bible studies and drama/music teams in about 10 different denominations. We believed we were well-versed in the Bible. Yet our home life was far from peaceful. Our three children were becoming more rebellious. They, more or less, professed to be "Christians", read their Bibles, memorized the Scriptures, and followed our lead, and regretfully, those of their "Christian" friends. However, their rebellion grew as they approached the teen years. As most parents of teens, we figured it had to be hormones and the generational gap dilemma. So, we basically ignored it.

    Although we had an outward appearance of being religious church-goers, we knew something was wrong. But, we didn't know how to correct the quickly deteriorating situation.

    Through a series of events in our lives: three children abruptly leaving home before age 18, Hurricane Andrew destroying our home and possessions, a move from Florida to North Carolina, and the adoption of three more children, very little ones, we finally discovered that God's plan was not ours. He had directed us down several more unusual turns in the path to teach us His ways, even in mid-life!

    Soon after the adopted children came to our home, each one began to realize their need for a Savior. We started watching their lives change before our eyes. Yet even though we were attending a local church, we were basically not learning anything we had not already heard for years. Growth for us had all but ceased. We were discouraged, but enjoyed the social aspect.

    Then out of desperation, due to the fact that I was extremely tired, I raised my voice to the heavens and pleaded for my Lord to give me a day of rest. Day of rest! No day was restful for me. I heard Him say in my heart, "I already gave you a day of rest." These were strange words. I replied with concern, "What day is that, Lord? Even Sunday isn't a day of rest for me!" Nothing else was said.

    A few days later, a new friend came to visit. She stood in my doorway, handed me a book, Too Long In the Sun by Richard Rives, and stated it was the Lord's gift and I should read it right away. More strange words. Why would the God of heaven send me a book. Needless to say, I couldn't wait for her to leave. I wanted to grasp every word of my special "gift."

    Because of that gift, my family began to experience a new path. We went backward in the Scriptures and learned about the Sabbath, Torah, Holy Days and Feasts, being kosher and basically walking as Jesus walked. Only now, we discovered his Jewish name, Yeshua, which means salvation.

    It didn't take long before we started noticing a distinct change in all of our lives. Our three daughters began clinging to the Scripture's every word. At ages four, six, and nine, they were so obedient to Torah that people stood amazed at them. We joined a small Messianic congregation and watched how they responded to the new way. Their eyes and ears consumed most everything they heard and saw. Not once did we have to tell them to obey the Word. They did it with willing, joyful hearts. They also obeyed us, their parents. This alone was one of the greatest blessings! Because of their new lives, they have graciously given of themselves in ministry to shut-ins and those who have not heard the complete Word.

    The study of Torah (the first five books of the Bible), even including it in our home school studies, has kept our family closely knit. Although we had home schooled our first children, we were basically acting on the rules, regulations and teachings of men. We didn't delve further into the Word to discover the truths that were there all along.

    When our 18 year old was 13, she requested one of the most surprising birthday gifts. This heart-changed, young lady wanted her family and closest friends to give her a "blessing" party. She requested that her Papa and I each write a blessing and speak it over her, allowing her friends to do the same. She has also asked that courting, not dating, be her mode of establishing a relationship with the man she would marry. Also, her desire is for her Papa to choose the husband-to-be. Her sisters are in agreement and plan to follow in their sister's footsteps. These days, this is a very unusual path for a teen to take!

    As a family who wants to follow, obey and cling to our Messiah, we truly believe we are finally on the right path. This turn in the road has lead us from Torahlessness to a life filled with the joys of understanding why we were given Torah in the first place. Psalms 119:105 tells us, "Your word is a lamp for my foot and light on my path." Torah is the true path. It leads our family to life. As our daughter Ashley put it, Torah gives us a vision, a purpose and a goal.

    And the story does not end here. We are watching our first three children ask questions about our new walk. At first they were a bit hostile toward our new path, but as time has gone by and as they have seen our visible witness, each one has asked questions about our new spiritual walk. We believe it is just a matter of Adonai's timing before they will also abide in Torah, both the Living and written Torah.

    A "P.S." can be added to this story.  It was discovered 8 years ago that our family is Sephardic Hebrew from Spain and Italy.  What a true blessing and great responsibility to our brothers and sisters.

Shalom,

Kathie Palladino
www.kitchen2.com