LET'S BUILD A BRIDGE

LET’S BUILD A BRIDGE

How we love spending quality time with our grandchildren!  Their frequent visits are a sheer delight to Belinda and me.  A few days ago, after our Tea Party time, six-year-old Sydney asked me to draw a picture with her.  I agreed, but ended up doing much more observing than drawing.  Our conversation went something like this:

Me:         Sydney, what do you want to draw?

Sydney:  Islands!

Me:         Why?

Sydney:  I got a book from the library.  Lots and lots of pictures of islands!

[Seated at Grandma’s office desk, Sydney went to work, diligently creating her picture.  I was rather impressed and proud of her results].

Me:         That’s a gorgeous picture, Sydney!  Great job!

[She paused for a moment, inspecting her picture with a bright smile; her response surprised me].

Sydney:  But people can’t get off.  They’re stuck!

Me:         I see.  What can we do about that?  Hmm….maybe we can draw a boat next to your island.

Sydney:  No Pop-Pop…a bridge.  A bridge is better!

Me:         Why is that, Sydney?

Sydney:  We can get on and off when we want.  Let’s build a bridge!

Given Sydney’s tender age and the fact that she is a first grader, my granddaughter’s insight floored and fascinated me.  In fact, a bridge would be a far better solution for the people on her imaginary island.  Should a ferry be their only means of egress, they would always be limited to arbitrary timetables and conditions set by others.  On the other hand, a bridge would allow them total autonomy, the ability to come and go at will.  In Sydney’s simple words, “A bridge is better!”

Our playtime revealed an intriguing metaphor for life.  Symbolically speaking, many prefer constructing ‘ferries’ for personal relationships.  Why?  Relationship ferries grant us absolute control over the ‘how’ and ‘when’ of our interactions with others.  Bottom-line: Many of us have the unfortunate tendency to become ‘control freaks’ in the lives of others, demanding that everyone dance to ‘our tune’ – in a melody, cadence and orchestration of our choosing.  But ferries never work well in relationships; bridges are better.

Jesus Christ said “Blessed are the peace makers [the bridge builders], for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)  Try hard to avoid becoming an island; to the very best of your ability, stay connected.  But if you find yourself in such an isolated circumstance (due to your own actions or the choices of others), then simply build a bridge.  “A bridge is better!”  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!