LET'S BUILD A BRIDGE

LET’S BUILD A BRIDGE

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

ME: O.K., Sydney, what would you like to draw?

SYDNEY: Islands!

ME: Islands?  Why islands?

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

[Sydney went to work, quickly creating her island drawing.  I was pleased 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 next comment completely surprised me].

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

ME: I see.  What could we do about that?  Hmm…perhaps we can draw a boat right there, 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 whenever we want.   Let’s build a bridge!

Given Sydney’s tender age and the fact that she was a first grader, our granddaughter’s insight both floored and fascinated me.  In fact, a bridge would be a far better solution for the people on her imaginary island, much more practical than the boat I had originally suggested.  If a ferry would be their only means of egress, the island residents would always be limited to arbitrary timetables and travel conditions set up by others. On the other hand, a bridge would allow them full autonomy and freedom, i.e. 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 people 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: Far too 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 seldom achieve healthy relationships; bridges are infinitely better.

Jesus Christ taught, “Blessed are the peace makers [the bridge builders], for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) So try hard to avoid becoming an island.  To the very best of your ability, stay connected.  However, should you ever find yourself in isolated circumstances (due to your own actions or the choices of others), then simply build a bridge.  The gospel according to young Sydney: “A BRIDGE IS BETTER!”

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!