Missed Opportunities

It is with a bit of sadness that we come to the end of the novel Bridge to Terabithia.  It was such a gripping story of a boy who, through the kindness of his heart and the help of a true friend, developed courage and self-confidence to become a strong leader.


We all loved the story, but if we just leave it there, we've missed the point.  When I think about the impact this book has on me, I think about opportunities I've wasted.  A chance to grow is not a thing to waste.  Yet people do it all the time.  Leslie certainly came close to missing a pivotal chance when she didn't want to go comfort Janice Avery, the school's bully, who had been let down by her "friend", Wilma.  Thankfully, Jesse was already developing his courage to advise her to get in there.  Jesse had always had compassion, but Leslie did not.  It was great to see Jesse helping to build Leslie's character after she had done so much of that for him.

This reminds me of the girls who won't play with boys, or the student who is afraid to explore their hidden talents, like singing, because it is "not cool" with the others.  So we don't take chances and we end up getting flushed down the stream.  Stand up, guys!  Be like Gary and Julius in Remember the Titans.  Dare to swim upstream.  Have a little faith in yourself and those who stand with you.  There are people around you who want to see you reach for what's great in this world.  Do you surround yourself with Wilma Deans?  I hope not.  Who is the Leslie in your life?