I spent the day today at the Grotto. I've been going there every three months for prayer and planning to reflect, refresh, and recast my vision forward. This afternoon, I met up with a friend for a while to share stories and go for a walk in the upper garden.
We were talking about trust, accountability and boundaries in light of recent events at Abundant Life. I was explaining that good boundaries are important to being able to be trusted. Without them we are at a much greater risk of falling and losing trust.
I've heard it said a number of times recently, even with good boundaries people still fall and those around them get hurt. It feels like it's almost an excuse to not try, to not trust.
I couldn't help but think of that rail along the edge of the upper garden. Without that rail, I wouldn't know where I could walk safely, where I could go without the risk of falling.
With the rail, I was able to walk around safely and enjoy the view out over the lower grounds. It's a long ways down! The rail is a good boundary to keep me safe.
I could have climbed over the rail to the edge for a more dramatic view, thinking I could handle myself, that I've got good footing and good balance. But I was just fine without the extra risk. Frankly my wife would be pretty upset if she got a call from the hospital or more likely the morgue, if I had fallen. She's counting on my boundaries to trust that I'm safe in dangerous situations.
Where are you walking on the edge? What boundaries do you need to keep you safe; to help keep you from falling? What boundaries do you need for those who care about you, who follow you, to trust you are safe? To trust you won't hurt them?
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