Crossing Bridges (Annette moves thought with a Christian Science perspective – a touch of Spirit)

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A friend of mine was inspired to write a blog following President Obama’s State of the Union address titled, “What is the state of my union?”

This question led her to a series of additional questions that would examine the state of her marriage, health, educational and employment goals, and her thinking. All were good questions to consider!

Relating the state of my union to that of my country’s reminded me of the song verse, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

Perhaps it isn’t easy to cooperate with and follow policies and viewpoints you strongly disagree with. But in any union – marriage, business, or governing body – you will likely have opportunities to make this choice.

Mary Baker Eddy once wrote that working together isn’t always cooperation, but sometimes co-elbowing. I’ve found helpful guidance in these words as I’ve considered what “co-elbowing” could mean.

To “elbow” includes a variety of definitions not all of which would be good practices for our contacts and communications with others, such as “to force or pressure someone out of something.” But other definitions include such words as “turn,” “bend,” “corner,” and “curve.” The prefix “co” means “with” and “jointly.”

As I’ve pondered the idea of “co-elbowing,” I finally began to see that working together does require some softening and adjusting of positions from both connecting sides in order to make a harmonious union.

I’ve learned it is possible to agree to disagree, while still making decisions and taking actions that lead to progress and positive results.

I’ve also learned that if left to human strength and will, cooperation and unity is impossible to muster and accomplish. But by turning to divine might and wisdom to lead me, what seems humanly impossible is altered and shifted — healed.

Furthermore, acknowledging that we all share the same divine source disarms the rhetoric that would divide otherwise well-meaning people.

Yes, to work together by cooperation — or co-elbowing — requires a lot of prayer combined with grace, patience, and humility. But it is worth it.

Could this be how to make a more perfect union?

Find more of Annette’s writings at: www.AnnetteBridges.com

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Find Keith on Twitter:@TexasCS
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