Break down the figurative walls

Dear Reader

We no longer build walls around our cities to fortify them against attack, as our early ancestors did. Entering most cities and towns is easy by road these days. The era of fortresses and strongholds is behind us.

Yet nowadays, when the enemy threatens your family’s security, you will be quick to erect a wall around your property – topped with barbed wire or an electric fence. What’s more, you will add a sturdy steel gate on roller coasters to keep the unwanted out. There you will sit safe and sound, entrenched behind your own Jericho wall.

If only the building of walls stopped at that... however, we sometimes draw up figurative walls around ourselves to keep others out, mostly after trauma or to be a shield of protection against hurt. This can, on the other hand, be to the detriment of any possible future relationships.

Perhaps you are one who should open up your personal gates or break down the figurative walls to again allow someone to come up close? Perhaps the time is ripe to build an arch: a welcoming entrance through which others can enter at your invitation.

Let us tear down the ugly old walls and rather create lovely new arches. Leave the old behind and start afresh

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Liewe Leser

Ons bou nie meer mure om stede vir beskerming soos desjare nie. Dis sommer maklik om die meeste stede en dorpe net met ‘n pad binne te gaan. Die dae van forte en vestings is lankal verby.

Maar deesdae, as die vyand jou gesin en veiligheid bedreig, sal jy vinnig ‘n hoë muur om jou huis bou. Selfs met doringdraad bo-op of met ‘n elektriese heining omgespan. Verder sit jy dan ‘n dik traliehek in, swaar en stewig - op rolwiele daarby - om die skelms buite te hou. Veilig sit jy dan daar, verskans agter jou eie Jerigomuur.

As mure bou maar net daar geëindig het… Soms trek ons die spreekwoordelike mure hoog op om onsself en laat niemand naby ons toe nie, meestal weens emosionele trauma of om ons te beskerm teen moontlike pyn. Maar sulke hoë mure kan ook dikwels toekomstige verhoudings kortwiek.

Is jy iemand wat dalk die hekke moet laat oopswaai of die mure moet afbreek om iemand weer naby aan jou toe te laat? Dalk is dit tyd om eerder ‘n boog op te rig: ‘n welkome opening na jou as mens wat ander eerder binnenooi.

Kom ons breek die ou lelike mure af en rig lieflike arches op. Los maar die oue agter en begin iets nuuts.

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OUR THEME: ARCHES IN DESIGN
Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright once remarked, “The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own, we have no soul of our own civilization.” Arches, with their inherent beauty and structural integrity, embody the essence of architectural artistry.

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KEEP IN MIND:
“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” (Isaiah 58:12)


Gerty Basson