Author Glenda L. Hunter

Author Glenda L. Hunter

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Bridge over troubled water

I am not fond of going over bridges. I have a sister that also shares that feeling. Many years ago when we were kids she was driving my brother and me someplace but in order to reach our destination we had to cross a bridge. I had no idea of her fear nor did my brother. She was driving I was looking out the window at the nice calm water. All of a sudden I heard my brother scream at the top of his lungs at her to open her eyes. I quickly shot them a look. He had a look of panic on his face and was holding onto the stirring wheel with a death grip. My sister had her eyes looked just as tight as he had the stirring wheel. I was very thankful he was the one sitting close to her because he was paying attention to the driving. He held the stirring wheel tightly the rest of the way over that short bridge. I believe she kept her eyes closed the rest of the way over the bridge. It was a frightful experience and helped to increase my fear of crossing bridges. My brother and I were not old enough to drive. We were sure we could count on her to get us safely over the bridge to our journey's end. She allowed her fear to overtake leaving us to handle the situation. A big thank you to my brave brother who helped us reach the end of the bridge safely. I think about that situation often when I hear the song Bridge Over Troubled Water. The song is telling us that God is like a bridge for us. He will lay Himself down over our rough times and guide us across. When the troubles of life make the water choppy that we need to cross what do we do? Or who do we allow to stir us to safety? Do we try to cross it all by ourselves closing our eyes in hopes of reaching the other side? I can tell you this, had my brother not interceded for us we would have crashed. We would have never reached our destination. I think it is a great idea to allow God to be our bridge over trouble times. Or if we find ourselves going over it at least allow Him to grab the stirring wheel and finish driving us to safety. He is strong, safe, and dependable. We will never have to worry about crossing the stormy waters with Him at the wheel. He will always hold on tight and keep us going straight. If we try all by ourselves the fear might overwhelm us causing us to take our hands off the wheel sending us crashing and sinking. The question I am left with is, "Who am I (or you) going to let be my bridge or guide me (or you) over the rough times in my life? I think I'll do my best to allow God to have full control of this vessel so I can reach my finally destination safely. What about you? Have a safe trip crossing your troubled waters of life.