Bridges

MON, JUNE 12, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

In 1982, I visited Davao City for the first time in my life. I learned about the awesome project of a bridge from Davao City to Samal Island. I can’t see this bridge till today.

We are all bridge builders during our whole life. I am not talking about the raised platform on a ship or a bridge mounting for false teeth or, as in the bony part of the nose. I am talking about spiritual bridges establishing connections between us and other people – or, between God and us.

Another elementary example is the “birthday bridge” or the turn to the year, that takes us from the old into a new period of life. A very important bridge in life takes people to me and me to people. It matters not if our skin is black or white, if we are rich or or poor, man or woman, being sad or happy.

So obvious our daily life is that we might even forget simple things easily. Self-esteem, respect and freedom from anxiety are the necessary and conclusive foundations for this kind of bridge.

Small but important bridges every day – how easily are they to be built: gestures of love – like a medicine; a handshake together with commen-dation and praise, encouraging words, a warm smile, instead of a superficial “How are you?” and the expected “Fine” or “OKAY LANG!”.

Allow me to say it clearly and direct to the point: Separations result from crumbled or fit for demolition bridges. Destroyed spiritual bridges can be found at any corner. Look into your neigh-borhood or, don’t drive away and repress this topic in your family. Insignificant trifling matters, minor arguing, misinterpretations, results in silence – and after the des-troyed bridge follows an in invincible wall not only between estates but also in the hearts and minds of stubborn human beings.

I was born and grew up together with my parents in a parish house. Up to the time of my active performances – among many other things – I did learn this:

“Build your own bridge to God and never doubt in Him. Always remember His promise. When a rainbow appears, it confirms His proximity and neighborhood and His faith. God’s unique bridge, a rainbow, is always there and durable, long lasting and solid. The main bridge, which afford passage to God, is the institution “church”.