Recently, I took my oldest and youngest children to the beach for some Mommy and Me quality time. Israel has some beautiful beaches, and my fourteen-year-old was eager to dive in, embracing the waves with enthusiasm. In contrast, my four-year-old was hesitant, afraid of the vastness of the water and the possibility of drowning. He spent most of his time on the shore, content with collecting shells. The gentle lapping of the waves seemed intimidating to him, and despite our encouragement, he was reluctant to even dip his toes into the water.
As the day went on, we continued to gently encourage him, and towards the end of the day, he finally agreed to put his feet in the water. Slowly, he ventured a little deeper until he was standing in the shallow waves, laughing with joy. In the car ride home, he surprised us all by saying that while his favorite part of the beach was collecting shells, his second favorite was playing in the water.
This simple day at the beach offers a profound lesson about our spiritual journeys and how we approach the challenges and opportunities that life presents to us.
In the Torah portion of Eikev, Moses exhorts the Jewish people:
At first glance, this verse may seem to be setting an impossibly high standard—how can such a comprehensive list of demands be summarized as “only this,” implying a small request?
The verse teaches us that our spiritual growth begins with small steps, with “only this.” Just as my younger child started by collecting shells—an activity that kept him close to the safety of the shore—so too does our journey with God often begin with small, manageable steps that help us feel connected and secure. Over time, as we grow in our relationship with the Almighty, we are able to move further into the waters of faith, embracing deeper levels of commitment and understanding. With encouragement and guidance, we gain the courage to go deeper, to engage with the more challenging aspects of our spiritual lives.
In the same way that my four-year-old eventually found joy in the water, even if it was only his “second favorite” part of the day, so too do we find increasing joy and fulfillment as we gradually overcome our fears and reservations in our service of the Lord. Each step, whether it’s a small act of kindness, a moment of prayer, or a deeper study of God’s word, brings us closer to the ultimate goal of “loving Him, and serving the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Every small step we take in our spiritual journey is significant. No act of faith is too small to matter. Each commandment, each moment of connection with God, builds upon the last, leading us to greater spiritual heights.
Our journey with God is not about instant transformation but about gradual growth. Just as my youngest child took his time to find comfort in the water, we, too, must allow ourselves and others the time to grow at our own pace. Every step forward, no matter how small, is precious in the eyes of the Lord.
So, let us embrace our journey with patience and perseverance. Whether we are collecting shells on the shore or beginning to wade into the deeper waters, every experience is a valuable part of our growth. May we all find the courage to step further into the waters of faith, knowing that with each step, we are fulfilling the words of God and drawing closer to Him with all our hearts and souls.
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