There once was a young man who was raised in a large family in a small settlement. His family experience much hardship and pain. For as long as he can remember, he dreamed of leaving this small town and exploring the world beyond it’s borders. The town was surrounded by deep crevasses. The only way out was to cross the narrow bridge spanning the canyon. The bridge had been built long before memory. Although seemingly secure and strong…the bridge had never been repaired to his recollection.
When he was of age, he packed his bags and headed towards the bridge with intention of crossing…and never returning to live there again. His family was very sad and begged him not to leave. He felt that his family was not a healthy influence and would keep him from realizing his dreams. He promised that he would return to visit them from time to time.
He made the long journey to a city where he acquired education that gave him a great understanding and passion for humanity. He learned about Jesus and practiced His teachings. He made it his life mission to love and help people overcome challenges in their lives. He was a talented healer, and comforter.
One day the man decided to go back to the small town to visit his family. After a few days he discovered just how different he was from his family. They didn’t seem to have changed…still coping with life hardships in unhealthy ways. He realized sadly that they were toxic. They didn’t always lean on God to solve their problems. He didn’t feel respect them and his help was rejected. With great pain in his heart… he left and once again crossed the bridge. He wanted to burn the bridge to keep them away from him forever. But instead he vowed to close it’s entrance never to return.
For many years he had no contact with his family. He had come to learn how to live without them. He had family and friends who appreciated him for who he was and supported what he desired to become.
One day during a church service…the preacher talked about burning bridges that ended relationships. He had not burned the bridge to his family…but had thought about it many times. During the sermon he was prompted to forgive his family and encouraged to not burn the bridge between them. He struggled with these words…knowing how much pain his family could inflict. He refused to forgive and instead wanted to forget that his family even existed. But the preacher spoke on… and toward the end, he made this statement, ” If you burn the bridge to your relationships…you may be preventing someone from crossing the bridge and coming to you. Someone who is innocent of your hurt. Someone who truly needs you…because there is no one else. They may not get your help…because you burned the bridge they needed to cross… to find you”.
When the man heard these words, his heart was opened and he knew that he could no longer turn his back on his family. Even though they were still toxic…someone may need his support and help. So he opened the bridge.
Soon afterwards and over the following years…one by one the children from his family came to seek out his love and support. They spoke to him with deep respect and longing for a relationship with him. He accepted them with open arms one after the other. The years rolled on… bringing also his brothers and sisters across the bridge to find him.
The man was able to see how important he was to his family. They were still damaged with some unhealthy coping skills…but it didn’t matter anymore. He knew he was needed by them, even it was just to listen and continue to love. He knew how to keep boundaries which kept him strong. The healing was slow but sure. The rewards were sometimes small and some unseen. But he could see the appreciation and love in their eyes. He thanked God.. that he hadn’t burnt the bridge after all.