After a very powerful Shavuos experience in Boro Park, I was scheduled to spend the following Shabbos with my family in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. But since I have been trying to work on my Shabbos observance, the Rebbetzin from Shavuos approached me and suggested that I extend my stay in Boro Park until after Shabbos. Of course all the immediate issues came to the front of my mind: 1) Am I overstaying my welcome? Well, that isn't even a term that is used in religious Judaism. Of course, it was very hard for me to get over this. 2) What will my family say? I am supposed to spend Shabbos with them. Will they give me a hard time about coming 25 hours later than originally planned? The last thing I want to do is get my family upset with me.
With the help of many wonderful people, I realized that Shabbos is a day that I must keep, and I had to be brave and stand up for not only Shabbos but also what I believe in, and explain to my family that I would be coming a day later. Surprisingly, they were alright with it! I was so relieved! Baruch Hashem, I stood up for what I believed in, and Hashem helped me to keep Shabbos.
This past Shabbos was one of extreme significance in my life. I really feel that it was a true turning point in my religious growth, Baruch Hashem. I really feel that I have a new strength to keep the Sabbath even when there are struggles and the situation might not be ideal (aka 15 miles from a synagogue in Kentucky). Obviously, there are going to be trials and tribulations, but I am on my way. I believe that if we want to honor Hashem and the Sabbath enough, all we have to do is push ourselves a little bit each week and daven a little extra for it, and Hashem will truly help us. It is said that, "those who watch over the Shabbos, Hashem watches over them", and truly after only really struggling with this for less than a week, I do believe this to be true. May we all have the strength to stand up for Shabbos and may Hashem watch over us all in return.
