I was standing alone with eight teeter-totters in front of me. There was nobody else in sight. Many things in life, such as teeter-totters, do not work with just one; it takes two. I waited, hoping someone, anyone, would come by. I wanted to invite them into an experience of trust. I realised that I was probably thinking of the impossible, especially with no prior relationship or experience. In the extended pause, life began a whispered sharing of her relationship, trust, and opportunity lessons.
The relationships in my life are more than just one moment in time. While each has its own unique beginning, they share threads with each other. One is time. Deep relationships are grounded with the passing of time. I have come to appreciate that quality and quantity matters. The important thing is taking steps together, sharing moments, and creating memories. The second thread is acceptance and respect. My life has deep relationships where we hold very different views on many topics. In each, there is an experiential foundation of words and actions that say I am accepted and that this is backed up by a respectful dialogue that never ends. The third is the desire to do more together.
Trust is more than a decision. It is, for me, an emotion. I can identify words and actions that reinforce and break trust. Frequently, they go to the heart of the shared relationship. Trust gives permission for one’s soul to share with openness, candour, and access to one’s most fragile thoughts and emotions, knowing one’s heart will be embraced with care. Trust is one of the most priceless and fragile gifts one can give to another.
Opportunity is now. I walked away from the teeter-totters with a sense of a lost opportunity. Today is fresh, new. I carry a reminder as I look ahead; “Now that [I] we know what we have – Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God – let’s not let it slip through our fingers.” (Hebrews 4.14) Today begins with courage and a will to engage.
