My enjoyment of this young woman’s anxiety was a bit overdone, but I couldn’t resist. As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed someone sitting on the mountain bench atop my pasture.
For this stranger to get there, she had to climb over a barb wire fence or unchain a gate as she walked past the No Trespassing sign. I put on my boots and began to climb toward her as she descended the ridge in shorts and flip-flops. “You own the cabin across the street, right?” she called out.
I replied, giggling, “No ma’am. You’re on private property. Beside that bench, we’ve seen bear tracks and coyotes. A skunk and its kits lived in the hole where you’re standing, and it’s not unusual to come across copperhead snakes in this pasture.”
She apologized for her intrusion and hurried off the property. Every potential danger I shared with her was real. Just this week, a 6-foot bear foraged through the garden and attempted to sample the delicacies of my bird feeder.
If she had knocked on my door, I would’ve gladly escorted her to the bench promising a pleasurable view. My attire would’ve included boots, long pants, and a sidearm loaded with shot. She would’ve been safer, and we might have had a great visit.
Healthy boundaries such as “Do Not Trespass” signs, serve as guardrails meant for safety. Love seeks the protection of others. When actions or lack of harm others, a moral and loving boundary has been ignored. Children generally feel more secure when parents consistently enforce house rules.
God’s warnings in the 10 Commandments aren’t meant to limit my enjoyment of life but to keep evil out. There’ve been times I’ve ignored God, and my actions have harmed others. These experiences didn’t end well. I allowed evil to direct my choices instead of God’s goodness.
CONSIDER:
Through failures and negative consequences, God provides a better way. Perhaps pray – “I’m sorry. I’ve hurt you and others. Please forgive and teach me to know You better. To walk Your wise paths instead of ignorant ways. Arm me with Your protective gear providing direction and peace to my thought life. Thanks for forgiving, loving, and teaching me.” Amen
Obey God because you are his children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn’t know any better then… So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as foreigners here on earth…He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (NLT: 1 Peter 1: 14,17,20)