Bridges...

 

Bridges are structures that span and provide passage over a waterway or other obstacle.  It can also be a transitional passage connecting two subjects.  And, third, a bridge can be a metaphorical bridge, for example a way of connecting two people who have differences of opinions or coming to terms with something in your life that has a huge gap for you to cross.

My family comes from a small town in Ohio called Russellville which has a covered bridge for my grandfather’s family called the George Miller Covered Bridge.  It gave us passage across a large creek to get to Grace and George’s farm.  Then, once you drive through the covered bridge you come to another impassible larger creek where a fascinating “rope” bridge spans the air above the creek to get to the house. We would go there as kids and have to cross this bridge for a visit when the creek was too high and washed out the road to get to the house!  And, a generation before me, my grandfather would carry his son, Jack on his back to get over to the house.  This “rope” bridge which was not only high in the air above the ground, but “swings” back and forth as you walk! Can you imagine an adult carrying an adult size person across such a bridge?  You see, Jack had spina bifida and could not walk from the time he was 9 months on.  My grandfather was a very strong and determined man.  He carried Jack every time.

Can you imagine how many bridges my grandparents must have crossed in Jack’s life of 24 years from 1925-1949?  Wheel chairs had not been invented yet, nor could they afford one back then. They bridged many gaps in their life for Jack, but I believe this rope bridge was the most fun!

I loved crossing that bridge once I finally got the courage to start walking across it.  And, when I see a picture of that rope bridge, I realize the Lord was preparing me to cross a different type of bridge after my divorce.  It was a bridge to healing, light, wholeness and love and acceptance.

So, what bridges have you had to cross in your life?  Have they been physical in nature or metaphorical?  Or both?  Picture in your mind where a bridge might be needed in your life now?  Is it a broken relationship?  Or, a bridge to a new job or career?  Or, a new idea that needs to be expressed in your life?   Or, new way of thinking about an old issue?  

Whatever the gap, build a bridge.  Find a way. Start today.  Mend the fence. Walk across to wholeness. Allow yourself to find the healing that is needed.  Offer a helping hand to someone who needs to walk across a bridge to a new life!  Encourage them.  And, go yourself.  GO!  Bridges were meant to be crossed.  They provide a way.  Start the trek.