Bridging the Gap

I was in a room today with 17 year olds and 80 year olds. I was smack in the middle of a HUGE generation gap!

This afternoon, my government students had the opportunity to meet veterans from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam as well as one man who lost his brother in Vietnam. These men graciously gave their time today to sit at a table with my kids, who soaked in all of the knowledge they could in an hour and 15 minute conversation with some of the most fascinating heroes of our century. As I walked from table to table to hear their stories, I noticed not one student who was off task or weary of listening. There was not one face that showed signs of fatigue or a desire to start the weekend. They even stayed after the bell, hoping to gain one more ounce of wisdom from these men. Today, I was responsible for standing in the generation gap between the greatest generation and the one following me.

The gap...it's not always an easy place to be. During WWI, the "gap" was the area between two trenches and the most unsafe place on a battlefield. During every American conflict, many on the homefront stood in the gaps left by soldiers going off to battle to defend our freedom. And in every war, medics are the ones who stand in the gap between life and death for wounded soldiers who hope to have another glimpse of home instead of falling in to the shadow of death that lurks beside them.

Where are the "gaps" today? Perhaps the "gap" in your life could be a neighbor's child who is home alone after school, before their parents get home from work. Maybe at your place of employment there is a coworker who is grieving over the loss of a family member, marriage, or wayward child. On the side of the road could be a man hoping for some generosity from a stranger who would give him a dollar, meal, or job. Or perhaps there is a person in your life who is literally in the gap between heaven and hell, needing to hear the news that has changed your life forever. You could be that bridge to a sense of belonging, comfort, or hope, and maybe even a bridge to God.

Gaps are not always easy places in which to be located, but they are always the transition from old to new and unenlightened to enlightened. Gaps are where the action is and from where the blessing comes. Bridge a gap today. Be a blessing.