British mysteries and “Meet the Parents”

Recently I've been absorbed in the series "Foyle's War".  Originally a British production shown in the U.S. on PBS, "Foyle's War" is a smart, intricate mystery that takes place during the cruel days of World War II. British mysteries are typically identified by the deep complexity of the plot line.  With them, you are never sure who you can trust. Only the recurring characters devoted to solving the crime as a team can be trusted.  Anyone else can ultimately end up being the culprit.  

The movie "Meet the Parents" is a classic fish out of water comedy.  Greg Fokker is trying to impress his fiance's suspicious and intimidating father who happens to be a retired CIA operative. At one point he tells Greg that he has been allowed into the family's "circle of trust". He is warned, though, that the circle is binding, and to break that trust results in a near impossible invitation back in. 

The point?  Who to trust can be a complex mystery as relationships are messy, and people have agendas. Trust must be appreciated as a gift that is persistently valued within an intimate circle of friends. Trust however is fragile, and should be handled carefully, because the one asking for it is extending a vulnerable invitation into his or her heart.

Trust is built up and strengthened over an extended period of time, but can swiftly be wiped away by a breach of its value.

It's like exercise.  It takes a good three months of hard, disciplined work to get in good shape, and a very short time of neglect to quickly get out of it. To get back to previous levels of fitness involves a lot of discipline, hard work, and commitment all over again.

In this time of extraordinary change, when insecurities loom, having someone to trust, as well as being someone to trust is absolutely essential. Be persistent in honoring its value and vigilant in protecting it fragility.