When we moved from our sea island home to the midlands of South Carolina I struggled to adjust to our new location. I was
not “Blooming Where God Planted Me” and was distant and
quiet on our evening walk.
“Is everything alright?” Bill asked.
“Not really.”
“What’s the matter?”
“I told your cousin we’d relocated to the midlands. She asked me why it’s called that,
and I said, “Because it’s in the middle of nowhere.” And I meant it.”
As we approached a bridge crossing two nearby ponds, a train rumbled in the
distance and sounded its horn.
“Oh, come on," Bill said. It’s not that bad. And don’t you love that sound?”
“I suppose” I said with a sarcastic sigh.
“Suppose?” he teased and gave me a little tickle. The author of children’s books
doesn’t love the sound of The Little Train That Could passing by?”
“Well, that’s not him” I retorted, giving Bill a hip check in protest.
My hip check wasn’t hard, but it was enough to send him tumbling down the pond’s
embankment and almost into the water. With a mix of sadness and anger in his eyes, he
clambered back to where I stood.
“I’m sorry” I said, my voice cracking with emotion. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
“I think you did” he said, dusting himself off, and walked ahead of me.
My heart was heavy with regret. Filled with guilt and sadness for what I’d said and
done, I hurried to catch up to him. I took his hand and led him to the middle of the bridge.
“Please forgive me. I’m just struggling to adjust to this new place and your
retirement from the Navy. I’ll be okay soon.
He looked at me for a long moment and nodded slowly. Tenderness filled his eyes,
and he leaned in to kiss me. It was soft and gentle, a kiss of forgiveness, love, and hope for
the future.
I had allowed my discontentment to push out gratitude and plant a seed of
bitterness in my heart. Bill’s understanding kiss of forgiveness began to heal the disconnect
between us. It took some time, but I am happier now than ever and truly enjoy living in the
midlands.
Should you come to visit and cross The Kissing Bridge, it’s now a tradition to stop midway
and either kiss the one you’re with or blow a kiss to someone far away.
I stood there today and blew a kiss to you, along with a prayer that any disconnect
between you and God will be quickly resolved. That through a relationship of belief and
acceptance in Christ, you will be set right with Him now and for all eternity.
