When I moved to the port city of Tampico, Mexico, and began working with a group of other volunteers from the Family International, they took me for a tour of the townhouse we share. It is located fairly close to the busy downtown, but also not too far from the poorer outlying areas where we conduct most of our projects. The setting is nice, located near a beautiful lagoon where folks gather to mingle in the cooling twilight, and also just a short drive from a clean uncrowded beach.

          What a terrific place! I thought, as we climbed the last flight of stairs. But the best was yet to come. A door led onto the balcony, where we were greeted by a panorama of palm trees, rooftops, and, in the distance, a magnificent bridge spanning the bay. The combination of the brightly lit spans of the bridge, the rooftops, and the cool night breeze was breathtaking, and the scene from that balcony has made for many an inspiring evening since.

          The coastal weather can be changeable, sometimes calling for a thin blouse in the mid-afternoon and a warm sweater in the evening. Although it’s usually sunny and clear, there have also been storms, unexpected cloudiness and rain, and some very windy conditions—occasionally even a hurricane. Whatever the weather, however, I take a few moments almost every day to stop and look out at the magnificent view from our balcony. I find the view of that beautiful bridge inspiring and somehow comforting. It connects two worlds, making all sorts of things possible that wouldn’t be otherwise.

          One morning as I took a few minutes for quiet reflection in one of the rooms adjoining the balcony, I looked out and expected to see the bridge, but it wasn’t there. Maybe an unexpected fog or haze had rolled in and obscured the view, I thought. But I soon realized that it was my position that was off. I moved over a bit and was able to view the inspiring scene once again.

          Then I was struck by a new thought—that that bridge is a lot like our relationship with God. It’s always there to both inspire and comfort. By it we have access to another realm, and by it we are able to receive the help and guidance that we need. But sometimes it can seem as though the “view” is gone, or that the help we’ve learned to rely on has somehow failed, just this once. But actually we just need to change the position of our heart. Then that sweet inspiration and comfort and peace comes back into “view” once again, and our faith is restored.

          Janet Barnes is a member of the Family International in Mexico.