The Citadel

"I was being called to surrender the very citadel of my self." Bede Griffiths

Every emotionally healthy person has boundaries. Every healthy relationship has them. Those who have been in dysfunctional relationships, for example, growing up with an alcoholic parent, understand the painful chaos of living without boundaries.

But what about when a boundary is more than a boundary? There are those of us who build tall, thick walls around ourselves. The walls are for protection, like the citadel in a medieval castle. It's meant to be the last line of defense. It's where those in danger can flee when being attacked. It's a bulwark, to keep us safe by keeping enemies out.

Those who have known the pain of no boundaries may go too far in the other direction and decide that in order to never be hurt again, a citadel will be the perfect way to go. The higher and thicker the walls, the better.

How many people stand outside the citadel of our selves? Loving people whose encouragement, wisdom and zest for life will show us things we've never seen and take us places we've never been? Until we surrender, we'll never know.

Susan