22 May Troubled bridge over waters…
The Mount Pleasant SC area is experiencing an unexpected disruption. Last week, during a routine inspection on one of the major bridges, a snapped cable was discovered. I am thankful God gives knowledge to people and that there are folks who know what to do when a bridge cable snaps. I am thankful for inspections.
Immediately, the two east bound lanes of the interstate were closed to traffic. West bound lanes were found to be stable. Professional bridge experts arrived to view the area and make a plan. Local t.v. stations gave numerous updates on road closures and detours. The Mayor, Governor, engineers, local and state police and other officials began working on a solution.
Tourist season hasn’t even started yet and the roads are already packed with vehicles bumper to bumper, due to the rerouting of traffic. People need to get to work, to doctor appointments, to school and other destinations. Life continues even with bridge troubles.
The Mayor updated the public and reminded everyone this is the time to use our “patience” and “friendliness”. I pray for no road rage or short tempers while the problem is being addressed.
At last, there is a plan for a temporary fix to be completed by June 11th. Meanwhile, a crossover area has been paved and now there is two way traffic on the west bound lanes of the bridge. A plan that hopefully will help everyone while we wait for the permanent fix of the cable.
This unexpected development reminds me how life can change in an instant and there are times we are not prepared for the change.
How do you handle unexpected change? What is your immediate response? Prayer and patience or worry and doubt? I wonder if this bridge cable snapping and traffic being diverted is one way for us to slow down and remember our blessings.
We often take for granted something as simple as a bridge crossing over water. A bridge to take us from one mainland to another.
Take some time today and pause to remember any bridges in your life that might need repair. A temporary fix can lead to a permanent solution.
Meanwhile, if you visit Mount Pleasant SC, please have patience with us while the bridge over the Wando River is being repaired. Thank you.
Blessings,
Mimi
lelandandbecky
Posted at 13:32h, 22 MayOur HW Good Morning Message today fits so well with yours! “We can be thankful to our God who sees in every situation an opportunity for us to trust Him—whether or not we see His purpose.” May it be true in our lives!
mimionlife
Posted at 13:33h, 22 MayAmen. There is always opportunity to trust Him, even with bridge delays. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
June Foster
Posted at 13:32h, 22 MayMelissa, your post reminds me of a recent ladies’s meeting we had at church. The theme was “When the Menu Changes” talking about how we have to change what we’re serving when we discover we missing some of the ingredients. But in a larger sense, when have to deal with changes in our lives.
I love your title of this post. So creative.
mimionlife
Posted at 13:32h, 22 MayThank you June. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Jill Weatherholt
Posted at 13:57h, 22 MayWonderful post, Mimi. This reminded of a bridge up in the mountains of NC that was washed away last year. The residents were completely cut off as that was the only way in and out of their small community. It was a good reminder for me to never take ANYTHING for granted.
mimionlife
Posted at 14:43h, 22 MayJill, we never know when something like this will happen. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Anne Mackie Morelli
Posted at 13:58h, 22 MayI agree. We really do like to plan our lives and try to control outcomes, seldom ready for the inevitable interruptions and detours that will arise. I once saw a sign that read, “If you want to make God laugh, make plans!”
mimionlife
Posted at 14:50h, 22 MayI have seen that sign, too. Yes, we can make plans, but God has the ultimate plan. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Kimberly Rose Johnson
Posted at 14:10h, 22 MayAs always, I enjoyed your post. We only have one bridge in my city that crosses the river and have been trying for decades to get an additional one built. Is that your only bridge?
mimionlife
Posted at 14:46h, 22 MayKimberly, there are some other bridges that connect areas. But we still have to cross the one that is shut down to get to certain areas.Those bridges are packed with traffic, too. People are trying to find alternate routes to their destinations. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Annie Rim
Posted at 14:34h, 22 MayOh, I like things ordered and planned. Not a fan of unexpected change!! My first years of teaching taught me how to roll with things and I’m thankful for that training before I had kids of my own. I still like a good, well-organized plan, but I’m learning to hold things loosely. 😉
mimionlife
Posted at 14:47h, 22 MayAnnie, yes, we have to be ready for change. I like a well organized plan, too. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Yvonne
Posted at 14:45h, 22 MayI try to always remember God is in the unexpected and know He has a purpose in it but it can be hard to do.
mimionlife
Posted at 14:48h, 22 MayAmen Yvonne. I believe God is showing us many things through this bridge closing. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Emily Saxe | To Unearth
Posted at 16:04h, 22 MayThis is a great perspective! I definitely takes things like this for granted. There are times when God reminds me I never know what tomorrow will bring. And it’s in those moments I cling to Him, knowing He’s the only constant in life.
mimionlife
Posted at 18:27h, 22 MayAmen. You are right, He is the only constant in life. Have a blessed day!
Edna Davidsen
Posted at 16:38h, 22 MayDear Melissa!
I came to think of Simon and Garfunkel as I saw your blog post title. I love them.
I hope all will work out with the bridge so everyone can travel safely to their destinations.
God bless, Edna Davidsen
mimionlife
Posted at 18:26h, 22 MayThank you Edna. I think there is progress on the bridge repair. Have a blessed day!
RobbyeFaye
Posted at 21:26h, 22 MayGreat post, great analogy! Thanks for sharing, and I hope it is fixed when projected.
Blessings~
mimionlife
Posted at 23:18h, 22 MayI think the community is learning a lot about bridges and repairs. 🙂 I know my family is learning a lot. Have a blessed day! 🙂
RobbyeFaye
Posted at 19:32h, 25 MayI bet it is interesting, even though the delays are frustrating!
Blessings~
Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden
Posted at 23:13h, 22 MayI’m so glad everything was fixed and no one was hurt. Really what a blessing. Change is hard though especially when it comes with traffic backups! I hope everyone will try to be patient.
mimionlife
Posted at 23:17h, 22 MayVickie, the bridge is not fixed yet but the officials are rerouting traffic. One side of the bridge can be used for now. What a mess! Have a blessed day!
nancyehead
Posted at 01:06h, 23 MayBridges–so vital–so inconvenient to do without them. Great post! God bless!
mimionlife
Posted at 01:08h, 23 MayThank you Nancy. Bridges are vital. So often we take for granted the blessing of being able to cross from one area to another by bridge. Have a blessed day!
ordinarilyextraordinarymom
Posted at 03:09h, 23 MayYeeesss! So often we try to take new routes. We try to go around instead of fixing. Sometimes the only way out is through. The only way to cross over a bridge and continue on is OVER it…repairs and all…not around.
mimionlife
Posted at 13:05h, 23 MayWhat a great description of bridges! This is true for everyday life, too. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Karen
Posted at 03:21h, 23 MaySorry for your city’s inconvenience, Mimi, but I love the analogy! I think if God can teach us to be calm and patient during a detour in life, we’ve arrived! (Just realized the pun–hehe)
mimionlife
Posted at 13:07h, 23 MayGod gives us many opportunities to trust Him. I am thankful for the knowledge He gives to engineers who can help fix bridge problems. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Christina
Posted at 05:07h, 23 MaySo good they found it BEFORE it caused a great problem! I used to live in Minneapolis & remember the freeway bridge collapsing while major traffic was driving through! I sometimes wonder as I drive under bridges out here in Los Angeles… thinking back to my memories of images from the Northridge earthquake when people were crushed underneath…
I think there is some “benefit” to living in earthquake country… you don’t quite trust everything – the ground, the buildings, etc to be stable and safe. You never sleep under a window or glass of any kind… control is really an illusion anyway right?
Nevertheless, my usual response to the unexpected is worry and agitation, rarely patience and prayer. Usually I have to be reminded to pray and trust that God is in control. 🙂
mimionlife
Posted at 13:04h, 23 MayBridges are very complex things. With all the bridges here, I am thankful for the inspections. Have a blessed day!
Boma
Posted at 06:59h, 23 MayWith prayer and patience we can still find peace when these unexpected changes happen. I hope the bridge is fixed soon. Thanks for sharing, Mimi. Blessings to you.
mimionlife
Posted at 13:08h, 23 MayThank you Boma. I am watching for bridge updates everyday. God is giving us opportunity to show patience and kindness during this unexpected trial. Have a blessed day!
debbieputman
Posted at 13:54h, 23 MayUnexpected change and being rerouted is unsettling. I usually mix worry, doubt, and complaining with prayer and patience.
mimionlife
Posted at 13:57h, 23 MayI am constantly working on giving my worries to God, but then I seem to take the worries back. I am definitely concerned about the bridge but thankful for His provisions. Have a blessed day!
Racinda Chave
Posted at 15:26h, 24 MayOh my goodness Mimi…are you in Mt. P?? I’m on DI!!!
mimionlife
Posted at 15:44h, 24 MayYes, we live in Mount Pleasant, in Park West.
Racinda Chave
Posted at 16:59h, 24 MayWhat a small world! Maybe we can have a coffee someday!!
mimionlife
Posted at 17:15h, 24 MayRacinda, that would be wonderful! 🙂 Hope to meet you in person soon. Have a blessed day!
karentfriday
Posted at 19:06h, 24 MayPowerful analogy, Melissa. Life can and often does change in an instant. So grateful for a stable foundation in Christ.
mimionlife
Posted at 21:26h, 24 MayAmen. A stable foundation in Christ. What a wonderful joy! Have a blessed day! 🙂
Toni Campbell
Posted at 11:57h, 28 MayThis actually reminds me of my current cancer journey. A routine “inspection” revealed a problem that had to be dealt with. I could have panicked and become depressed instead of praying and trusting that God was in control. Situations will always happen – how we react can change the trajectory of our lives.
mimionlife
Posted at 13:00h, 28 MayI am so sorry that you are on a cancer journey. I am a 13 years breast cancer survivor. Yes, situations will happen and how we react makes all the difference. Thank you for commenting. Have a blessed day! Praying for you.
dscales24
Posted at 23:59h, 06 JuneWonderful spiritual application! People in your area will have ample opportunities to build patience!
mimionlife
Posted at 00:06h, 07 JuneYes, we needed lots of patience. The bridge is repaired now and traffic flow has resumed. I think we still need patience. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
nancyhvest
Posted at 00:06h, 07 JuneLosing my husband, Jim, at 57 was the hugest unexpected thing that’s happened to me. I ran to God immediately. I prayed for strength to take care of all the arrangements and be strong for our daughters and to take each single breath. It’s been almost a year. God is still my anchor and stronghold everyday of this journey in widowhood.
mimionlife
Posted at 00:08h, 07 JunePraying for you Nancy. An unexpected loss affects us in so many ways. Sending hugs to you.
M.B. Henry
Posted at 21:37h, 08 JuneWhat a great analogy with personal life bridges and disruptions that can catch us by surprise. I hope everyone gets through this disruption safely. I wish I was better about remembering to stay calm during a my own disruptions! That’s a bridge that needs some repair for me. Great share!
mimionlife
Posted at 21:40h, 08 JuneThe bridge is repaired now and normal busy traffic has resumed. I wish all bridges (real ones and mental ones) could be repaired easily. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day! 🙂