The Bridge

Shortly BEFORE the old crossing collapsed.

AFTER - The new Bridge!

The Bridge

It is that way with life, with relationships. The erosion can be so subtle, at first, that it is hardly noticed; or if noticed, just seems to be the natural course of things and dismissed. But when the gap that once was no wider than two could reach across and clasp hands eventually erodes to a chasm deep and wide, it becomes obvious, dangerous, disastrous and impassable. Some stare, gape or shake their heads, but they get used to it. Like having an elephant in the living room, they learn to go around it, ignore it, incorporate it into life's routines. But something happened, something broke, died, changed, was destroyed, re-routed and is dramatically different. Some can't ignore it for they see the pain as an open wound that isn't healing. The normal waters of life's stream gently flowed along their path. When the torrents and floods came of life's temptations, challenges and sorrows, they carved, dug, rolled, roared, upended and destroyed what once was. This could be the end of the story; or, it could be a new beginning. A bridge is built across the chasm. The two sides are reunited. Grasses and flowers begin to sprout with new life. The landscape of the soul is forever changed, yet renewed.

Tapestry

As I plan and prepare for a vacation trip to California in October, I think about all the many family and friends who live there and who I see scattered through the year, or some once a year, some only every few years. Each life that has touched mine has affected me, changed me and deepened me in some way. Each person is a thread that has interwoven with mine at some point, or at many points, along my life's pathway. Likewise I pray that my life has intersected with others in a way that has been a positive influence on them. I often pray, "may my thoughts words and actions make a positive difference in the lives my life touches." We see each stitch and each individual thread. We tend to live life up close. God sees the entire tapestry of our life from a heavenly perspective. Sometimes the stitches aren't very pretty or a thread looks dull by itself, but when seen from God's perspective, when it is all woven together, it is beautiful!

Tapestry

A shred of hope
A stitch in time
Thin threads of life
Of souls entwined.

Events and memories
Families, friends
Lives interwoven
Colors blend.

Time and distance
Beauty, breath
Laughter, sorrow
Birth and death.

The ins and outs
The up and down
A nurse, a mother
And a clown.

Life seems simple
Work and play
Moment by moment
Day to day.

Yet rich and deep
Profound in wonder
The powerful storms
The rolling thunder.

One thread is golden
A dazzling hue
The one life’s love
So pure and true.

Meaning, depth
Perspective, texture
This love’s blessing
To life’s vesture.

Yes, deep, complex
And interwoven
Requiring pain
And grief not chosen.

A twist of fate
To come unraveled
Thin threads of hope
Were barely traveled.

Life’s fabric is woven
So intricately
From heaven’s height
A Holy Tapestry.