Once Upon A Time..
Bollman Bridge (Photo credit: Kordite)
Once upon a time
in a land fair
people who were thought they were right,
lived there
Problems were few
life was good
there was a common purpose, respect, understanding
and things were as they should.
In this land there was a drawbridge
connecting this land to the other side
where those lived, outside the protective walls
did not understand those living in the land beyond the bridge
no matter how hard they tried
Those outside the land
were seen as critical and loud
judgmental, self-righteous
cynical and proud
They refused reconciliation
with those in the land
They held off, retreating in silence
stubbornly hanging on to their opinions
casting a critical eye on things they would never understand
Those in the land called to the others on the other side
“come over – we will let down the bridge so we can play”
But when those attempted to cross – they were met with a guard
a toll booth
and a high price to pay
The high price was admitting failure
humbling of one’s self
and revisiting old wounds
things that they would rather
leave in the dark
in a corner of their heart – high on a shelf
With the price set so high
it was not worth the journey across
so those outside of the land would never come
and it was seen by those in the land
as their “great loss”
Whose loss was it?
In a land where “rightness” and “one opinion” seemed to overflow
where was the love?
Why was there a guard at the bridge
and a price of ‘one’s self’ at the toll?
Did those in the land really want to reconcile?
Did those outside really want to come over?
Even if doing so meant admitting possible error on their side?
Was there a place where all could live together?
Was there really a place between?
With love, trust, common understanding and mutual respect?
A place where all needs are met – all opinions validated and seen?
Once upon a time
is a real place
it’s the very heart of you and me
the differences which keep us apart
are not so different from
those that could bring us together to really see.
We place a price on those who might be ready
to take a journey across our personal drawbridge
We say “I forgive” – but our actions say
something else
they say – “change first – admit you’re wrong and then we’ll see”
Dear Lord – help our ”once upon a time” personal land
to be free of this high price
from those who have wronged us
help us to tear down that toll booth
fire the guards
live where the bridge is constantly down
and where people can quietly
walk across
with no expectations
no regrets
only a common purpose of true reconciliation
with no questions
and no agenda
just love.
Amen
Oh wow, but I originally thought you were talking about coming to Jesus–until the end. Illustrates how we think we are right and justified in not allowing anyone over until they come around to our way of thinking. You had me! Love the story and it shares a good point on that subject.
Thanks JoJo – high praise indeed! Glad I fooled you!