Armin, my Daddy lost his wife and two children in the Holocaust. Teddy, a boy, was nine years old and had deep chocolate eyes. Lillian, a girl, was eleven years old with eyes the color of the sky and hair like wheat in the sunlight.
Prior to immigrating, Jews who lost homes were allowed to go back to the cities where they had lived and reclaim their homes should they want to. Most found nothing left to come home too and so they immigrated all over the world.

In the case of my Daddy the people occupying his home allowed him to go into the backyard and dig up a box that he had hidden in the earth. A box filled with treasures, jewelry, and money. These things had no value to him…but the pictures…OH Dear God, the pictures…the images of love and life lost; he gently held close to his heart and brought them with him.

My Daddy had walked his own “Via Delarosa”; his road of suffering. At its end he found only misty memories of the past. Daddy had lived through hell on earth just to be able to touch the hands of his children and hold his wife once again.

But they …were no more.

Daddy’s hands shook and all the pent up silent cries of anguish came out in great sobs and tears as he held 3 pictures of 3 hearts gently against his breast…Teddy, Lillian, his children and the only remaining picture of his wife as they stood bride and groom together looking forward to a bright future.

And so Daddy walked forward into a new life clutching the old life…crying out to God…WHY?…but only hearing the sound of silence. Daddy never understood to his dying day that it was satan who robbed him…not God.

All through the Old Testament God makes it clear that He knows everything about us:
• The number of hairs on our heads
• He knew us before we were conceived
• He chose us when He planned creation
• He determined the exact time of our birth
• The days of our lives are written in His book
• Every good gift comes from His hand
• He loves us with an everlasting love
• His thoughts about us are more than the sand of the seashore
• He rejoices over us by singing

Didn’t my Daddy know and understand this?
The answer is yes and no. It is Gods wish / desire that all should be saved. But desire is not will. God left that decision to our wills by giving us free will. Hidden in the prophecies of the Old Testament is this message from God to both Jew and Gentile.

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. He is the exact representation of my being. He came to demonstrate that I am for you not against you and to tell you that I am not counting your sins.

My Son died so that you and I could be reconciled. His death on the Cross-was the ultimate expression of my love for you. I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.

Receive my son as your savior and nothing will ever separate you from my love again…and then you can come home to me.

Love,
Your Abba / Daddy,

ALL MIGHTY GOD