Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The New Bridge


One of my favourite places to walk is the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.  I live in a big town, but a twelve minute drive from my home takes me to hectares of unspoilt African bushveld. If you click here,  you can access a wealth of photos which will give you some idea of the beauty of the reserve. I'm posting a few of my own photos below to whet your appetite to visit the website.

On my last visit there with a group of friends, we were greeted by brightly coloured bishop birds which had built nests among the bullrushes. On previous walks we had the thrill of seeing their babies inside the nests.

Southern Bishop Bird
We saw several of the wild animals which live in the reserve, including the blesbok below.

Blesbok
Later in the walk we saw springbok and a wildebeest in the distance, but the highlight of the day was several zebra who watched us as they enjoyed the lush grass a few feet away from us.

A zebra watching us as he eats the lush grass
There are also several sites of historical interest in the reserve, including the ruins of a nineteenth century farmhouse and outbuildings. We stopped to take photos through the windows of the old dairy.

View from the old dairy
A picturesque river, the Bloubosspruit, runs through the reserve. There were two bridges to cross the river, but one was washed away in a flood, so for several years there was only one. If we wanted to cross higher upriver it was a case of balancing on wobbly stones and getting wet feet.

Bloubosspruit
It was a pleasant surprise to discover that, since our last visit, a new bridge had been been installed. It was not visible until we were within in a few yards of it and it made crossing the river a breeze.

It was constructed in two sections and then transported to the nature reserve. Four men carried each section to the river and then put it in place.

The new bridge
What fascinated me was that it was only anchored at one end, which was on a pivot securely bolted to a rock. The other end rested free on the other bank. Next time the river floods, the water will swing the bridge sideways on its pivot, so that it offers less resistance to the flood waters but the strong anchor will prevent it from being washed away. After the storm, the bridge can be returned to its original position and once again provide a way across the river.

The new bridge reminds me of a verse I read in the Griefshare workshop I attend:
 "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; 
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock, and my salvation; 
He is my fortress and I will not be shaken." (Psalm 62:5-6 )

I am like the new bridge. Storm waters of grief, trouble and worries  buffet and threaten me , but I am anchored tight to God and will not be swept away. He is my rock, and nothing can separate me from His love.

11 comments:

  1. So true, Ruth. Thankfully we have an anchor for the storms that life brings.

    Was so good to have you for lunch on Sunday, and enjoy blueberry pie together and chats about writing, life and sharing your grief.

    Love the photos - they're stunning.

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  2. Lovely thoughts and pics Ruth. that verse is similar to one I was reading yesterday in Psalm 42. I love the way God reinforces important truths in more than one place.

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  3. Thank you for your comment and for giving us such a great time on Sunday, Marion.

    Thank you for your comment Dale. Thanks for the Psalm reference. Yes God does reinforce His truths, this morning I read Isaiah 43 which includes "When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you."

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  4. What a lovely illustration Ruth. When these buffeting things happen I can become so deeply sad. But knowing God understands helps me so much. He has a plan in it all which I'm telling myself right now.

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  5. Beautiful! Pictures, analogy, scriptures, all just beautiful. And so true. Anchored safely in God, we may be buffeted, but we will not be destroyed. I love that bridge and the example it provides. Thank you for sharing.

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  6. Lovely, Ruth Ann. Thank you for taking us with you on your walk!

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  7. Hi Ruth Ann,
    Wow, I'd love to have a walk in your area! So beautiful. Great design for a little bridge, too.

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  8. Ruth, thanks for sharing your beautiful post :) I love the photos, especially the zebras. What a gorgeous nature reserve to have on your door step!

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  9. Loved this Ruth and wondered why we have never gone there! Next time Rob and I are up your way, please remind us to pay this a visit!

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  10. Wonderful post that I twittered and shared in Pinterest for others to read.

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  11. Thank you for all the comments. Shirl, I had planned to take you and Rob to the reserve, but we just ran out of time. Christine, thank you for sharing the blog on Pinterest and Twitter.

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