Walls
“Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.” ~Sir Isaac Newton
Not, of course, specific to men but our gender can claim more than the lion’s share of this thought— In history, it’s much more often men who created walls inciting conflict. In the past there were times when someone would incite confrontation, and I would get feisty in return, thinking ‘I’ll show them’, then ‘drawing a line in the sand.’ (Who else watching, took note, then became ‘disaffected’ because of my poor example?) I discovered that, when so engaged, the Spirit would tell me (if He hadn’t left already) to be careful or an escalation would certainly create greater error. When open/listening, I was often given a solution, to build a bridge instead. I now hear their point, consider, and can often come up with an idea that works.
When it comes to family relations many, like me in my past, have tended to build walls between self and spouse / children. I recall times when things were not going well either at work in circumstances I had no control over or brought upon myself. I would carry the ‘baggage’ home and, with a sullen mood, would isolate myself from those who could have rescued me had I allowed it. I could have left the negative ‘baggage’ at the door and made home an oasis from another ‘brutal day’. Peace at home can also increase remembering,
It requires discipline and always giving a little. I find myself revisiting old weaknesses fewer times and further between now, but still there, still an irritation… still reminds me of my fallen nature, and a loss of the Spirit; a reminder of how very mortal I really am… the ‘spiritual distance’ I have yet to travel. I am reminded too, that the design of this existence is not for perfection here, but more to keep a constant focus on eternal things through leaning upon the Lord, calling upon God… often! These mortal ‘mishaps’, much as I wish they weren’t there are necessary to keep me looking to my Savior, seeking— enjoying His companionship. It’s not so much to ‘have arrived’, but the striving that draws me closer to Him. Would I, in an illusion of ‘having arrived’, become complacent and fall into much more deeply serious error? kdm
much expanded from 6.10.15
