Bridges to Somewhere!
I've thought a lot lately about bridges. This is a picture of one of my favorite foot bridges at
the Chicago Botanic Gardens that crosses a pond over to the Japanese Gardens.  It connects
people to the beauty and peace of the other side.

Many people have been a "bridge" in my life, helping me to heal from some hurts and wounds
and lostness.  Everytime I see a bridge now it reminds me of those who have served me by
their love, support and encouragement to "get me across" to a more peaceful, better place
physically, emotionally or spiritually. People have been a bridge of prayer in my life, of
hope, of correction, of comfort.  I think all of us could benefit by just making a list of
and thanking God for those people he placed in our life to be bridges "over troubled waters".


I've been realizing how often God uses us to be bridges in other people's lives to help
them take in and enjoy all the beauty of a living, growing, relationship with Him.  I have
been involved in ministry for over 20 years, working with children and women; teaching
and encouraging them to become connected to the One who created them and loves them.
God has used me to be a bridge over some very "troubled waters" in some of their lives as
well; helping them deal with pain and hurt they have gone through, and yet understand that
God is there for them. The pain and hurt didn't come from His hand and He desires to have a
relationship with them where they can find peace and direction for their lives, the way He
intended.

Of course, the Lord Jesus, himself is the greatest example of being a bridge in someone's life.
He bridged the ugly gap between sin and death and redemption and life!  Had I continued
walking my own way in  life and not taken the bridge (Jesus) to New Life, I believe I would have
had a miserable existence and be looking at eternal separation from God.  I continue to be amazed
at the work of God in my life. Of replacing a tendency toward depression with a heart of hope, of
replacing a fearful heart, with a trusting one, of replacing a wounded heart, with a healed
heart.  Those were some pretty big gaps to bridge in my life, but He did it! 

One day I will approach the bridge between life on this earth and life in eternity. The older I get,
the more I look forward to crossing over, because I know that the One who is THE BRIDGE,
will greet me with love, mercy, and grace and welcome me to the other side to enjoy my new life of seeing and
talking to him face to face!  I will also have the joy of being reunited with those who have gone
before me who have been a bridge in my life as well as those for whom I've been a bridge in theirs!

Lord may we help others to see and cross the bridge from darkness to light, as we know this is
a great delight to you.