Bridges

Bridges


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
September 01, 2010

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Cor. 13:4-7

One of the things that make the Outer Banks so appealing to me is the fact it is a string of barrier islands, surrounded by water, yet life is abundant and rich in many ways despite the remoteness of it. Over the years, bridges have been built to make the connection to the mainland easy. Now, on a hot summer day, those bridges are often congested with bumper to bumper traffic for those coming and going to enjoy the fullness of the area. The residents know that living on an island can be vulnerable at times when storms come through, but each person I have ever met that was a permanent resident wouldn’t trade living on the Outer Banks for anything! It is amazing that a bridge can be the connection to a different life.

I have heard people describe the term relationship as the bridge from one heart to another. How true. I reflect on my relationships and they are all different and unique, just like the people I care about, but the intention and feeling is the same…a desire deeply rooted in my heart to touch another’s heart with love. Love is a choice, not a feeling. The guidelines for how to love is found in I Corinthians. Some people we know adopted a daughter this week. They loved her before they ever met her! Our granddaughters were not born into our family however we couldn’t love them more. They were born from our hearts!

Relationships are a two way street. Sometimes there are difficulties, silent treatment, distance and rejection. When we come across these occasions we are taught to continue to love and pray for the people we are connected to, then God sees our efforts and many times relationships are restored. It is important that we stay in prayer and focus on the good and not the bad traits of the person. Isaac Newton said “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.”

I am so grateful for the people in my life that keep me on course. How often to we veer off in another direction motivated by our wants and desires and make decisions that eventually make our life more difficult? Praise God for those that speak truth into my life, who are wise and can ask a simple question that causes me to stop and reflect. With love and strong ties that bind, those relationships are the ones I cherish the most.

Engineers often come to take a look at the underside of bridges, test its strength and proclaim it needs repairs or it is still a safe place to travel back and forth. Our relationships are like that. We must constantly make sure all repairs are done quickly, making sure the foundation is still secure and all surfaces are smooth and as much as it depends on us, live in love and peace.