Our sightseeing at the rope bridge, Carrick-a-Rede, was physically demanding for this out of shape senior citizen. Richie parked the mini-bus and sent us on to queue catching up to us in just a few minutes. Everyone in our group of 12 with the exception of Bebe had decided to do the walk and cross the bridge. The walk was paved but in some places very steep and then in other places, it was simply uneven stone steps going up and up. There were over 90 of these! Yes, I counted.
We made our way to the bridge and then waited our turn to cross. It is a rope bridge but has been built up and is rather safe but it crosses a deep ravine. At one time, fishermen tossed the rope bridge (without boards) across each day and crossed it with fishing gear and then the return trip included the catch. The other side of the small island connected by the bridge was a great place to fish for salmon. The site has long been a part of the National Trust (similar to a national park system) and now tourists cross when the weather isn’t too fierce.
Our half mile walk up to the bridge was both strenuous and blustery. The wind was strong and often I felt almost propelled along. I made it to the bridge, up and down the stone steps and across. Then it was even more rugged with huge stones to climb, not steps, and nothing to grasp on to. But Deirdre offered me her hand for balance and I was up….taking in the glorious view of the sea.
On the way back, I was offered the hand of a friendly Irishman for balance to get down those rugged stones. It is amazing to me that just a hand can do so much for balance. And balance is such a seemingly small thing but it can keep us from falling into the abyss. Balance keeps us from injury and hurt. Balance gives us strength to take the next step. In our everyday lives, it is the small things that we offer one another that keep us balanced. Without the encouragement, kind words and compassion, we would all surely stumble and even fall.
I stopped to take some photos of birds…either gulls or pigeons…flying about near the craggy precipice. There were many birds in the air but some had nestled into the crevices in the rocky wall. I was reminded of the line from a hymn, “in the cleft of the rock”.
God is at work in us and through us all the time. Sometimes life is blustery and propels us along even when we are not able to move. Often as we face precarious situations and are looking for balance, it is the hand of a friend that stabilizes us so that we can move forward. Those are the moments when we “encourage one another”. Sometimes we are flying about, looking for a safe haven from the winds and storm. But God is the master of the sea and the wind. God loves us and provides a “shelter in the time of storm” and “a cleft in the rock”. If He cares so much for the birds of the air, how can I wonder if He cares for me?
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