Monday Musings: Fences
Merriam-Webster’s defines a fence as “a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary”. In ancient civilizations, fences were the first line of defense and a means of protection. In our own way, we each build up fences to protect those things we hold dear. We fence in our hearts, our dreams, our ambitions, our secret thoughts. Sometimes we fence in people. Sometimes we fence in possessions. Building boundaries as a form of defense is natural and necessary. Fortifying Fences A while ago, I began to let down a fence I had erected around a particular person. It felt safe. They’d done a few things that…
Just Say No
Welcome to Confessions of a recovering “help-a-holic.” One of the hardest lessons I am learning during my sabbatical is how to say “NO” and not feel guilty about it. Recently, I received a request to preach. It was an odd request because of the demographic and it was not something I’ve done in at least a decade. When the request was made, I knew what the answer would be. However, it took me five days to say the word. I went back and forth, trying to figure out how to make it work. When I finally decided to submit to the inevitability of no, it took me another few days…