Reflections by the Sea: Boundaries

Published 4:12 pm Wednesday, March 18, 2020

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By Betsy Ore Glass

“Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:26-27

What are they? Why do we need them? How do we apply them? The dictionary describes a boundary as a limit or a border. Utilizing boundaries helps to eliminate chaos and sets the course for our relationships, our marriages, the workplace and more.

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Imagine taking out a boat and not observing the channel markers. It wouldn’t take long to hit a sandbar and run aground. What if signs were posted for rip tides, yet a swimmer ignored them. There a huge chance underwater currents could overwhelm the swimmer. Confinements are for our good.

Boundaries begin with us. We must decide if we choose to observe and honor them or not. The Bible says we are to be responsible for ourselves under Him. Basically, a boundary is where we end and someone else begins. These “lines in the sand” Indicate what we should be responsible for and what is not our responsibility. We must not rely on others to do what we can and should do for ourselves. To foster a sense of entitlement is out of God’s order. A good relationship with healthy borders practices respect and honor. Healthy limitations promote growth. “For each will have to bear his own load.” Galations 4:5 ESV  And you may be asking, how do I begin living a life with godly barriers? Maybe by limiting saying yes all the time when we sometimes want to say no is the first step. It is just the tip of the iceberg. Soul search today. Are we helping others when we say yes or would we help a person more to say no so they could grow and learn to rely to themselves? Seek what God says about boundaries.

Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.

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