Lines & Borders & Other Containments...

SO.

Today, I'm not sure why.  But, I was thinking about boundaries in life.

I'm not talking about confinements - where you feel like you are being suffocated.  I'm talking about the healthy borders in your life...

Those that keep you from "going too far" or "going where you just don't belong".  Whether in a conversation...friendship...marriage...some struggle in your life - where boundaries help keep you free from something destructive...etc.

Rules.  Where you just know the rules.  And those rules - whether spoken or implied, are part of what keep you free from something.  Keep you "in bounds".  Or keep you from going "out of bounds".

KEEP YOU FREE

An easy example.  In your marriage.  Knowing that you are just not supposed to EVER get violent.  EVER.

This is probably never "stated" as a rule - but you know it's there.  Well, maybe your wife's father brought it up in some fatherly way...letting you know - if you cross a boundary - he's going to cross one too.  But, other than that - you just know.

We grew up with it - you just don't hit a girl - period.


You don't hit a lady.

But - way before you ever go there (violence)...there are lots of "other boundaries" that keep you far from crossing the violence fence.

Again - never spoken...just implied.

Like.  Don't raise your voice at each other...a border...a rule...a fence.  However, once you do...once that fence is crossed, that "new" area is now the starting point of the next "fight".

But, no fear.  There are still more boundaries in place.

Like.  Never cussing at each other.  Again, just an implied rule.  You just wouldn't talk to her like that & you don't want talked to like that either.  However, if not careful, now that you are over the raising voice fence...in an area once off-limits, you can cross over into the "cussing at each other" area as well.

Again.  Nothing to fear.  Still fences in place.

The problem is right there.  Once you cross ANY fence in life...it becomes the starting point for the next "whatever it is" that got you into the off limit area to start with.

We move the fences...we change the rules...we get comfortable with the new normal...we accept it as the way it is now...

So

She better shut up...she better quit saying that word to or at me...Then - BAMM.  I didn't mean to grab her that hard.  But, if she would have shut up...if she would have quit pushing my buttons...I would have never...

How did I get here?  How did I get into a place I thought I never ever would have gotten to.

By crossing 1 fence...breaking 1 rule...at a time.

That's how.


Now, what was once so far from you...you end up in a place you never thought possible.

Boundaries.  Whether spoken or implied - they serve to keep us free from something.

Addictions...Sins...Failure...

They exist in all areas of life - both spoken & implied.

Once crossed - if not VERY careful...they become easier & easier to cross.

Once crossed, we are now next to another fence...another area "off limits".

What the Heck AM I saying?

Pay attention to the Boundaries in your life...no matter the area they are in.

If you've crossed any of them.

Go back.

Acknowledge the breach.

Rebuild the fence.  Bigger...Better...Stronger.

If you have not had a fence in your life "in that area" for a while...you already know what "off limit territory" feels like when you get too comfortable...and don't know how to get back on the right side of life.

Tell someone...

Find a REAL friend...

Pray...

Run...

Be Honest with yourself & with others...

Do whatever it takes to get the boundaries back in place...

You never know, how much trespassing might cost ya...

You never know, how much freedom might be enjoyed...

I'M FREE...

thank you Jesus...

just thinking...

b

ps.  for the record - I've never been violent with Shawn.  Ever.  It's an illustration only.