TRUST ME!

While celebrating Bab's birthday yesterday at lunch with "The Runners", we happened upon the topic of the consequences of broken trust. While sitting at the table and looking around, I realized there were quite a few that were dealing with this very topic. All different stories, but the same outcome-a violated trust.

This led me to the memory of our neighbor for the first third of our marriage, Dr. Ropp. Dr. Ropp was the retired president of our local university and he and his lovely wife, Mrs. Ropp were wonderful neighbors. Mrs. Ropp was the consummate Southern lady-entertaining, meeting with her clubs, and taking care of Dr. Ropp. Dr. Ropp in his retirement years enjoyed gardening and feeding the local wildlife including the birds and squirrels.

Dr. Ropp established a relationship with a particular squirrel from a very early age. He patiently worked with the squirrel-providing needed food while slowly gaining the trust of the squirrel. His patience paid off and eventually the squirrel began to take food from his hand and even eat from his hand. Dr. Ropp loved that little squirrel and relished showing his neighbors and friends the trust bond that had formed. It was really quite the sight!

One day the little squirrel came for his handout. Dr. Ropp willingly supplied the treat, but then things turned ugly. The little squirrel had become greedy and wanted more. What Dr. Ropp had supplied was not satisfying enough and in a fit of greed-he attacked Dr. Ropp. Actually climbing up on Dr. Ropp, he bit and scratched him in a tantrum of wanting more.

Dr. Ropp was shocked and dismayed at his little friend's betrayal of trust. What had taken a LONG time to establish was broken in an instant. The relationship would never be the same. Dr. Ropp became wiser and protected himself from further injury. The squirrel lost his faithful companion and supplier of his needs. It was a lose-lose situation.

We humans are often caught in the same circumstances. The trust we take years and years to build is destroyed in an instant. We are then caught in the dilemma of how to reestablish that trust. The one that has been betrayed must allow exposure to the possibility of future pain if the relationship continues. The betrayer must live with the fact that the faith once bestowed upon them is destroyed-for who knows how long. It is a sad-sad scenario-all caused by a fleeting moment. Whatever happened to trust? Are you worthy of the trust placed in you? Do you believe me when I tell you, "You can trust me?"