The Bridge of Forgiveness

The old house.

Quiet. Frozen in time. Its walls bore the marks of many years. They seemed to remember the tears, the pain, the loneliness, the wounds and the burdens that I had carried in my heart for so long. Today I know that that house was more than just a place. It was a picture of my former life. A place where my fears, my wounds and everything that stole my peace were left behind. I walked out of it. I was wearing old, worn clothes. I was bent over, as if my whole life rested on my shoulders. I felt poor – not because I possessed nothing, but because my heart was weary and thirsty for a new beginning. Then something gently drew my gaze ahead. I looked. I saw a bridge. It was very long. So long that it seemed to have no end. It was high, suspended above the water. I looked at it and fear came over me.

I was afraid of heights.

I was afraid the bridge would collapse.

I was afraid I would fall into the water, and after all I can’t swim.

I didn’t know if I could take the first step.

But then I looked to the other side.

And I saw something extraordinary.

I saw a completely different world.

A world full of light. A world of tall, beautiful buildings that delighted with their beauty. Everything was different from what I knew. New. Bright. Full of hope.

I looked and felt that there was the life my heart had been seeking for a long time.

Then I heard a quiet invitation:

– Come.

But I was afraid.

Fear told me to stay. Not to take the risk.

Yet deeper than my fear I heard a quiet voice.

Full of peace.

– Go.

I awoke.

For two years I carried that image in my heart. I did not understand why I had seen a bridge.

Until one day, while browsing through hymns, I paused at one entitled “Forgiveness”.

I looked at the picture. And I froze. There was a bridge on it. The same one.

Leading to a new world.

Then my heart understood.

The Lord had shown me the way.

It was the bridge of forgiveness.

A bridge from the old life to the new.

From pain to healing.

From burden to freedom.

From fear to trust.

Today I know that I am on that bridge.

I am walking.

Not because I am no longer afraid, but because I trust more and more in the One who invited me.

When I look down, I see the height, the water and all that I fear.

But when I look to Jesus, I know I am safe.

He leads me step by step.

And when I grow weak, when memories return and tears come to my eyes, I know I am not alone.

Mary walks with me.

Quiet and close.

Like a Mother who does not abandon her child on a difficult road. She wipes my tears, touches my wounds and helps me rise when my strength fails.

And when I stop out of fear, I hear Her gentle voice:

– Do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not go back to the old house. Leave what was behind you. Get up and keep going. Do not stop. Jesus is before you. He is leading you onward. Trust Him.

And then I lift my gaze.

I take another step.

Not because all my fears have vanished, but because I know I am not walking alone.

Jesus is ahead of me.

Mary is beside me.

And I am learning to trust.

For the bridge of forgiveness does not rest on my strength.

It rests on His love.

And I know that this bridge does not lead me into the unknown.

It leads me to the new life that God has prepared for me.