Hands Up: When Life Gets Real Very Close to Home

By Yaakov Rich

By now many of you have heard that an apprehension was made in our front yard last night. We heard the helicopter get closer, saw the spotlights illuminate our house, watched as four police cars drove down our street and an officer ran toward the front of our home. The area was lit up as if there were a disco ball hanging in the sky. Then we heard it. The police yelled, “Come out with your hands up!” Yes, just like in the movies. And the young arrestee emerged from our side yard. Scary, you may say. And at the time, we didn’t quite know what to think. 

So as I go about my day seeing the police (who Baruch Hashem are not defunded in Dallas or Richardson or Plano), hearing the sounds of distant sirens and whirling helicopters overhead, what should I think? How should I feel . . . Fear, anxiety, and insecurity? As in everything, there is a life-lesson here.

Hashem is in charge. He orchestrated the entire scene before our eyes. We were not hurt, thank G-d. In fact, half of us slept through the whole episode. It was over in a short time and now all is calm.

Life is a matter of perspective. Will the memories scare me or unsettle me or will they increase my emunah. 

I think what Hashem wants is the latter, so when I see or hear the sounds of law enforcement, I will take it as a sign that Hashem is in charge and He has everything under control.

Settling and comforting.