The Greatest Devotion1 min read

This morning, Shmuel Shmelke was very insistent on being held. I needed to get dressed and take care of a few things, but he absolutely refused to be put down. I carried him into my in-law’s basement/playroom and sat down with him on the floor next to some matchbox cars – his favorite toys. They caught his attention and he began to play happily. Slowly, I eased him on to the floor so he was sitting by himself and waited. After a few minutes, Shmuel was completely absorbed in his play, running the matchbox cars over all the surrounding surfaces and imitating the sound of an engine. Noting his contentment and preoccupation, I thought this might be the right moment to sneak away so I could take care of my things. Slowly, v-e-e-e-r-r-r-y-y slowly, I began creeping away, hoping to stealthily make for the safety of my room. But the second I moved in that direction, Shmuel broke out of his game, threw down his cars, and crawled back to me as fast as his little legs could take him.

The message was clear.

“Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the world! I ask of You one thing: Help me to reach this awesome level! May my dependency on You reach so deep that I can only ever be truly content engaging in the various “games” of my life if I am assured of Your abiding Presence! May the slightest sense of distance between us be enough to immediately shake me from whatever is occupying my attention – no matter how enjoyable – which I see as having been rendered cold, dark, and meaningless in the absence of Your light, and come scurrying back to You with all-consuming love and devotion!”