An Uncertain Crossing

My good friend Jesi (Cherokee Angel) created this photo illustration using one of my photos, and dubbed it “Scream Dream”. It is an awesome picture, and after looking at it a while and reflecting on all that I’ve been going through lately, I believe it should be titled “An Uncertain Crossing”. It has inspired the writing that follows.

An Uncertain Crossing
Life is, in essence, a journey; a long walk on a path
that winds the mountains high and valleys low.

Along the path, you may encounter some rough spots;
there may be rain, fallen rocks, and rivers to cross.
As each situation arises, you must find a way to get by,
and continue on your journey.

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness like Diabetes,
Congestive Heart Failure, or others is like suddenly finding
yourself face to face with the biggest, widest river you have
even seen, and having no idea how you are going to get
across it to continue your journey.

Faced with such a daunting challenge, you see very few
options from which to choose. You can either stand still,
and watch as the river overflows its banks and sweeps you away,
or you can try to find a way to cross the river and continue on your way.

You quickly realize the river is too wide, and the currents are too strong
for you to swim across. There are also no boats, or any other means of
quickly crossing to the safety of the other side.

So, you now venture from the familiar path and into the wilderness in
search of a way across the river. And when you’ve just about given up
hope of finding a way, you come upon an old, rickety bridge, that looks
like it can barely hold itself up, let alone the weight of you.

As you stare at the bridge you take note of the many cracked and warped
wooden planks which make up the walk way. Some are even missing,
giving clear view of the raging river below. Fear and doubt consume your
thoughts; Will the bridge hold you? Will you make it? What will happen
if you don’t try to cross?

Suddenly, you realize that while you’ve been searching for a way across,
and allowing fear and doubt to take over your mind, the river has spilled
out of its banks, and the currents are now raging toward you.

Adrenaline fills your veins, and you know what you have to do. There’s no
turning back now. And after a quick prayer, and a last look behind, you
take a running jump onto the bridge, and you keep running. All in a
desperate attempt to make it to ….

Whether you will make it safely to the other side is known only
to God. All you can do is place your trust and faith in Him as you
face An Uncertain Crossing.