Never Give Up: A Wedding, a Father, and Divine Timing

Life often tests us in ways that challenge our patience, perseverance, and faith. The story of a wedding in Long Beach reminds us that no matter the obstacle, no matter the difficulty, we must never give up, because miracles often unfold when we least expect them.

The Situation

A young bride was heartbroken. Her father, for reasons known only to him, had refused to attend her wedding. She felt abandoned, humiliated, and unsure if she could walk down the chuppah alone. When Rabbi David Goldwasser arrived late to the wedding, he was immediately approached by the bride, tears streaming down her face.

“My father didn’t come. I can’t walk down the aisle without him,” she confessed.

Rabbi Goldwasser, recognizing the depth of her pain, knew he had to act immediately. Despite the late hour, despite the apparent impossibility, he decided not to give up.

The Pursuit

He asked for the father’s number and called relentlessly, letting the phone ring repeatedly. Hours passed, but Rabbi Goldwasser remained steadfast. Finally, after persistent effort, the father answered.

“Rabbi, this is Rob Goldwasser. How can I help?”

The father tried to dismiss the conversation casually, insisting he had no intention of attending the wedding. But Rabbi Goldwasser, sensing the opportunity to reconcile, pleaded with him:

“You must come tonight. This is important—for your daughter.”

After careful negotiation, they agreed to meet outside the wedding hall. The father arrived, coat on, scarf around his neck, unsure and hesitant. Rabbi Goldwasser guided him inside quietly, without drawing attention.

The Miracle Moment

As the father and Rabbi Goldwasser entered the wedding hall, the bride caught sight of her father for the first time. She burst into tears, overwhelmed with emotion. Guests followed suit, moved by the reconciliation.

Together, they walked to the chuppah. Rabbi Goldwasser guided the father, helping him hold steady as he took his place beside his daughter. The bride, seeing her father there, experienced a profound moment of healing and joy.

The room was filled with tears, laughter, and the palpable presence of divine timing.

Rabbi Goldwasser stayed through the celebration, witnessing how persistence and faith can bring miracles into even the most seemingly impossible situations.

The Lesson

This story illustrates a timeless truth: no situation is hopeless when emunah (faith) is present. Life may present challenges that feel insurmountable, but miracles often unfold for those who:

1. Persevere – Rabbi Goldwasser did not give up, even after repeated phone calls went unanswered.

2. Act with faith – He trusted that Hashem could open the father’s heart.

3. Seize the moment – When the opportunity arose, he acted decisively, guiding the father inside.

4. Expect the unexpected – Sometimes, solutions arrive in forms we cannot predict.

“Sometimes there is a waiting period because Hashem wants to see if we truly have faith,” Rabbi Goldwasser explained. “If we continue to pray, persist, and maintain emunah, the answer will come—sometimes after the thousandth attempt.”

Emunah in Action

The story reminds us that faith is not passive. It is an active force, requiring repeated effort, patience, and persistence. Whether asking Hashem for guidance, praying for reconciliation, or seeking resolution in any difficult circumstance, we are instructed to:

• Continue asking: Even if prayers seem unanswered, maintain hope.

• Never give up: True faith requires enduring effort.

• Trust in divine timing: What seems impossible now may be part of a larger plan that unfolds perfectly.

This principle is echoed in countless Torah teachings: those who act with sincerity, persistence, and emunah often see results beyond what they could have imagined.

Applying the Lesson in Our Lives

We can all draw inspiration from this story. Life may present challenges—strained relationships, obstacles in work, personal struggles, or seemingly impossible goals—but giving up is never the solution.

Consider these applications:

1. Family reconciliation – Approach conflicts with patience, persistence, and faith that hearts can change.

2. Personal goals – Continue working towards your dreams even when progress seems slow or obstacles appear.

3. Spiritual growth – Daily prayers, small acts of kindness, and consistent study can yield results in ways we cannot yet see.

4. Emotional resilience – Trust that delays and difficulties may serve a higher purpose, guiding us toward the right outcome.

Conclusion: Miracles Come to Those Who Persist

The wedding in Long Beach is a powerful example of how faith, persistence, and timing intersect to create miracles. Rabbi Goldwasser’s unwavering determination ensured that the bride was not alone on her wedding day. More importantly, it reminded everyone present that no challenge is insurmountable when approached with emunah.

“Altissia-ish—no matter how bad the situation is, don’t ever give up. Continue to pray, continue to ask, continue to act. And Hashem will answer, often in ways more beautiful than we could imagine.”

Let this story serve as a beacon for anyone facing hardship. Remember: even when the outcome seems impossible, perseverance, faith, and a refusal to give up can lead to extraordinary blessings and the fulfillment of divine timing.