We know we need to eat. But sometimes, particularly when we’re sick or recovering, the thought of a full meal is too much to handle. It’s best in these moments to start simple, perhaps with just some bread and water until we regain our full strength and appetite. And this might play out as we’re rebuilding trust relationally as well.
To be sure, after we’ve been burned in our relationships there’s a sense in which we lose our appetite to trust. As such, the thought of rebuilding old relationships, or starting new ones, both seem too much for us right now. And maybe a season of solitude and relational Sabbath is what we need for a time – spending time alone with God to heal our broken hearts.
But we are relational beings to our core. And at some point we must be intentional about forging our bonds of connection with each other again. While some might be ready to immediately jump back into the deep end, most of us will have to take things slow – starting with just a little bread and water.
For instance, this might be simply making ourselves available rather than always declining an invitation to connect, replying to a message or returning a phone call, or just meeting for a casual lunch. Whatever it looks like, initially we’re merely putting ourselves back into the path of relationships. There’s no expectation at this point to dive deep or to be super vulnerable. Of course, risk remains. But it’s measured as we find our footing again. The important thing is that we start eating again, however simple and small.
A famished soul can eventually become a hard heart – keeping everyone at a distance and losing all meaningful connections with others.
In the end, be kind to yourself as you recover from relational wounds. But don’t neglect the needs of your heart as you do. Continue to pursue connections with others even if it’s as simple as bread and water.
