Build a Bridge

Have you ever sat patiently listening to someone and thought....man I wish they'd just get over it already?   It could be the ten thousandth time you've heard them tell the story or make reference to their pain.  Maybe I am the only sometimes heartless soul out there.  I think there is a whole song written about me then...."how could you be so heartless?"

However, I reckon (yes, you read that right, reckon) I am not alone though.  I had an experience recently where I kinda got surprise right hooked by God.  Well, not realllllllly, but needless to say He got my attention and He got it good.  I was having one of my "heartless moments" thinking, for the love of fried green tomatoes why don't they just get over it already, when a still small voice piped up and said, well why don't you?  I jolted, really, I think I did.  I sat up a little straighter as though to be more proper in my processing of that small, yet powerful phrase, "why don't you?"  What do you mean "why don't you?"  So I that thinking of the times that my friends could have possibly thought man, why doesn't she just get over it?   I thought, hm, maybe they are sick of hearing me talk about my weight struggles or how I fear certain things, or certain school problems.  Even if my friends never get sick of hearing me carry on about my struggles, it sure made me realize that from an outsiders perspective, it appears as if I should be over some of my struggles already. 

So, in that moment of clarity I realized something.  We ALL have something we just need to "get over already," but it really isn't that simple.  Deep hurts take work to get over and sometimes instead of telling someone, "build a bridge and get over it" as the old timers used to say, we need to build a bridge of compassion and encourage others in their struggle to get over it. 

So, if you have someone in your life that you tire of hearing their woes, just stop and encourage them exactly where they are on their journey.  The healing isn't up to you, it is up to themselves to do the work ultimately,  but you can encourage them in the right direction.


"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"  Luke 6:41

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~Plato

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.  ~Maya Angelou


 

But I don't like that.

I can still feel that deep down soul pain when my mama called announcing my sister's passing.  It was the kind of pain that brought me to my knees, caused me to throw the phone and scream as loud as I could at God.  It was an angry, confused, exasperated cry from the pit of disappointment. 

I had done everything right.  Prayer chain after prayer chain.  I even anointed her with oil (one of my friends said that was sure to heal her).  I was a baby Christian at the time and my view of God was that He would answer my prayers a  yes in every situation.  So, I had full confidence that He would.  I guess you could say I was in the honeymoon phase of the relationship where I only saw the easy parts of my faith. 

Those days when my sister was in the hospital are a still a blur, but I do see now a few key moments where God actually did answer my prayers even though my then 24 year old self didn't see them.  These moments bring trust back into my heart that God is faithful.

For one, the whole family was able to be there.  I mean down to Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, cousins.  Their presence in that ICU waiting room will never be forgotten.  Also, we were able to sing to her and I know she heard.  God blessed us with a smile from her even though she was in a coma.  I know there are more answered prayers.  God didn't answer our "big" prayer, but He took care of us in the little moments.  When our big prayers don't get answered, it is so easy to blame God or wonder if He even exists after all.

While driving home yesterday, I was reflecting on all of the hurt places people in my world are standing even though we prayed like crazy for healing and restoration of relationships.  Lost parents, marriages, hopes for children, jobs....you know the list could go on.  It would be a lie to say that I didn't start to doubt God's faithfulness.  Then I remember the little moments and know God is still there for us.  The simple strength for my friend to get out of bed every morning.  The card at just the right time.  The song that comes on, again, at just the right time.  Do I believe God can still answer big prayers? Absolutely! Sometimes though, in His wisdom, He simply does not.

It is the big disappointments that help us to grow.  You realize that after you've walked through something big like that. 

Today I will be looking for love in all the small places, even though it might hurt.  Will you join me?