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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Bridges Over Troubled Waters

Today I went on a photo shoot with my photography group.  We shot pictures of old bridges here in Oklahoma.  As we went from bridge to bridge, I kept thinking about the purpose for which bridges are built.  A bridge gets us from one place to another, that we couldn't get to very easily if it wasn't there.  Even in this world of advanced technology, we are still very much in need of bridges.  I'm sure we could drive the long way around to get the other side or charter a boat to get there.  But it's a much more direct route, with less trouble, just to drive a car across the bridge.

Some of the bridges we came across were literally broken in half.  Some of them were crumbling at the base or had big holes in them and some had big metal pins missing while others were literally crooked.  These bridges were no longer of any use and long forgotten.  But others were still strong and able to carry the weight of cars or trains to the other side.  I remembered that old song, "Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and I began to see a parallel in my mind.   What if we could be bridges in this life, helping others on their journey to the place God has given them a dream to reach?  Are we strong and fit?  Can we play a role in getting them to some point where they need to be?  Or are we broken, crumbling and weak, ourselves?

I want to be ready if the Lord brings someone into my life who needs a helping hand across troubled waters.  I want to be strong and able if need be.  But if I don't have a strong foundation or if I am crumbling with weak places and holes, then it could spell disaster for the one who trusted me to help them get across a great divide.  There have been times in my life when I needed to lean on a friend; I needed a strong bridge to help me make it through a tough situation.  I praise God for bringing me strong solid people who wouldn't crumble under the weight of my sadness, doubt or hurt.

I pray that if you need someone in your life to help you through a rough patch, through troubled waters, God leads you to someone who is firmly rooted and planted in Him.  My hope is that you find someone with the strength to help carry you through to the other side where victory is awaiting you.  And if you are that person who is in a strong place, not swayed by the fast moving waters, I pray you be on the lookout and keep a tender spirit for those who are in need of a bridge over troubled waters.

From His Lap,

29 comments:

  1. Beautiful post and pictures! I found you off VB and I just wanted you to know that I nominated you for an award. You can check it out @ http://confessionsfromboystown.blogspot.com/2011/07/butterfly-award.html.

    Also, I wanted to highlight you and your blog in a future post for a section I do on mine called 'Saturday Shout-outs'. Each week I highlight a great writer- like yourself. My hope is that it will not only bring more readership to both of our blogs, but that we can learn a little more about each other.

    If you're interested, please email me at asoto0703 at gmail.com.

    Talk to you soon!

    ~Amber 'SortaSuperMom' @ http://confessionsfromboystown.blogspot.com/

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  2. Absolutely beautiful. You are an amazing woman! I am so glad I found your site. GFC, Networked blog, google+ follower.
    Valerie Stayton
    My 2 Cents

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  4. Oh and email. I also shared this beautiful post on twitter and FB

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  5. Hi Erin -

    Amazing grace, you are...and amazing grace are those old, rusting allies we call bridges. Ruggedly soured from the weathering of time, don't they still posses a magnificence in the waning hours of their span.

    There once was an adventurous little boy I once knew very well. With friends or alone, he used to challenge those grand rustic grandpas that crossed over river waters. I'm thinking there wasn't a bridge he didn't climb to the top or explore their undersides, hanging, dangling, climbing, clinging, sliding, jumping, diving...and the trains that crossed them as well.

    There were a handful of times that boy should have died but didn't. What should have been death, were merely scrapes, bumps, bruises, some broken bones, near drownings, and walking away every time. Silly but that boy got up bloodied to do it again, the next time to win bigger challenge.

    Crazy ... bored ... exciting ... mischief...disobedient ... who can say for certain? God's will...he's alive today and a very good person. Healthy, strong, probably lonely, smart but ignorant in some ways, and I see him helping people where ever he can. I know he's helping people cross those bridges, many many many bridges. Some of those people have no clue they're being helped.

    You know, this guy told me before he knows for certain without a doubt that God has a big plan for him. He's been saying this for a long long time. I tell him that maybe the plan has been in place the entire time..and that each step is a part of the plan. He's impatient I think but he does know so he does as you say...he carries others whom aren't as strong as him. I suppose he just does what he can.

    Special story Erin. Super read. Thank you & God Bless you and your family. :)

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  6. I love the parallel you made with the bridges and being a bridge to others as they seek the Lord! Thanks for sharing this post on Google +

    ~Mimi

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  7. Hi Erin - great analogy. I'm coming back later to read through it again.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  8. Amber, I'm very honored. I will email you, for sure. Thanks so much for stopping by and having a rest here. You are not a sort of super mom, you are a fantastic mom! Blessings to you and your family!
    ~Erin

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  9. Thank you for the kind words, Valerie! It makes my heart smile when others share my posts and I'm honored that you shared mine so many times! I hope my blog blesses you.
    ~Erin

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  10. That's an awesome story there yourself, Brian. Thanks so much for sharing it. I saw that little boy, in my mind's eye on his little travels!
    Thank you for stopping by for a visit.
    Blessings,
    Erin

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  11. Mimi,
    I hope my post blessed you. It seems as though the Lord always speaks to my heart when I have my camera in my hand.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  12. Thanks for stopping by, Tracy. I know you are a strong and mighty bridge, capable of carrying many!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  13. Beautiful, Erin! I love the idea of being a bridge for others and needing to be strong and ready when someone else asks for that helping hand.

    Inglath Cooper
    www.inglathcooper.com

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  14. Thank you so much, Inglath. We need to be strong and ready!! I love your site.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  15. Erin, of all the blogs that I read, your blog is one that touches my heart daily. This post is one that is inspiring to anyone who comes across it! While reading it, I had the song "Love Can Build a Bridge" pop into my head. You are getting a +1 from me my sweet friend. I absolutely love your heart! ~Hugs, M

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  16. Thank you Erin! Just tweeted your post. Love your strength, maybe you are the bridge that I am needing right now! xoxo Lisa

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  17. Erin, what an honor it is to know someone with such beautiful insight into the world and what is important. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely post. xoxo Samantha

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  18. Mitzi, that really means a lot to me...more than you know. Thank you so much for letting me know that my blog blesses you. And thanks for the +1!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  19. Lisa,
    Thanks so much for stopping by. I would love to be a "bridge" for you!!! If you ever need to talk, just let me know!
    You are a blessing,
    ~Erin

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  20. Thank you, Samantha!! You have such a sweet heart! You always bless me with your kind and positive words!
    ~Erin

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  21. Erin, don't you find it interesting how God can take a planned outing and turn into a visual lesson........Your analogy is fresh and heartfelt.....
    Thank you so much for taking the time to share it with us.....

    You are so right that the bridge has two ends....one where we reach out to others and one where someone reaches out to us.....Just like God intended it to all along....helping each other......

    God bless you new friend........

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  22. Hi Erin, this is Lisa from My Heart's Home, thank you for joining me! I love your analogy of the bridge..I recently visited a bridge here in Michigan and took some photos of the underside of the bridge and was amazed by the intricate framework. Funny, I thought of
    those same paralells, I see Jesus as a bridge to the Father and we can be bridges to Jesus.
    Peace and Blessings In Jesus

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  23. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa! Isn't it wonderful how God shows us truths in life that can help us bless others!?
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  24. Nancy, you are right! I always try to be open and see if the Lord is speaking to my heart when I'm out and about. I picked up the most precious jewels from Him that way.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  25. Beautiful perspective Erin, and great pictures. I'm laid down as a bridge for someone right now, and it's hard work, but your words encouraged. Thank you.
    Beck

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  26. I have stood in some troubled waters recently only to be held fast by a few good friends. You, Erin, have been a rock to me with your friendship and the words in your posts.My visits may be infrequent but the strength I draw from them is constant.

    You have kept my head above water.

    Strangely as I have been struggling at times to stay afloat I have unwittingly been a 'rock' to a new friend.I remain convinced that people come along in this life for good reason. Whether they are in need of help, or are there to help, where would we be without them all?

    Erin you are more than a bridge. You are the foundations. Thank you. Lorraine

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  27. Thanks for the visit Erin! :) Family, friends and those in need are our most valuable assets, and the encouragement we give to each other is what helps us get across that bridge to the other side so that we can fulfill God's purpose in our lives! :)

    Lovely post and great pictures! :)
    Denise

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  28. Lorraine, your words are really humbling. My hope and prayer is to be an encouragement to my readers, to offer hope and so many times in been just the opposite. It's been words from them, like yours, that hold me up!
    I know you are a blessing to those around you. I can just tell you are someone they can lean on.
    You bless me!
    Erin

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  29. Denise,
    Thank you so much for stopping by!! You are exactly right. Isn't it a joy to walk with someone and see them carry out the dream that God has for them!!??
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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