Mending Broken Fences

Driving down Snowy Range Road, passing ranch lands along the roadside, I occasionally notice broken fences.  Cowboys are quick to mend these fences, else they may lose their livestock - their livelihood.

A typical split rail fence. Used widely out here in the west.

I was reminded of this need to "mend fences" in my relationships recently.  The fences of life.

Grateful for the opportunity to talk openly with a friend, we repaired a fence she didn't even realize was broken.

Some time ago a situation occurred that left me with the impression she was less than thrilled with me.  I discovered life in general had been stressful for her and what I mistook in her attitude toward me, was just her reaction to life as we know it.

Unlike the ranchers of Wyoming - I left the fence unattended.  First just tilting but gradually a split grew further and further into the post.  Wrecking the stability of the overall structure.

During the period of this un-mended fence, my friend and I were polite to one another, we were cordial and kind when we saw one another, but we lost precious opportunities to build a stronger friendship, a deeper bond.  I'd venture to add that some of the closeness we had built up till that fretful time was in fact, lost.

I blame myself for this.  I didn't take the time to rectify that tilting beam.  I withdrew and let time pass without saying anything, without asking any questions, without apologizing for my part in the "rift" I felt existed.

I discovered she was unaware of the break.  Mending?  What mending?

The "problem" I let grow in my mind and heart, assuming she was upset with me, didn't even cause a tip to her fencepost .  If I had said something those many months ago, the lean in our friendship fence would have been righted quickly.   No mending necessary.

As it stands, I'm thankful that fences CAN be mended. That friendships CAN be healed.

All it really needed was a little adjusting, but since I let it sit, sloping and unattended, it resulted in needing repair.

1 John 4:17
 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.