Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water, I will lay me down …

I think I mentioned before that I was a great fan of Simon and Garfunkel. The first LP I ever bought was one of theirs – ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ (if you don’t know what an LP is, think black vinyl dinner plate …). The title song has become a classic – beautiful words and melody, and oh, how I wished I could play well enough to manage it on the piano – I did try!

The words of that song have come back to me over Christmas and New Year, as we experienced torrential rain again, and saw yet more flooding in the North. How lucky we are, with our little bit of flooding at the brook! One of the images I shall remember is that of a bridge that had stood for centuries crumbling into a raging river in full spate. Most bridges stood firm against the floods, but those communities who lost their bridges realised how much they needed them. One of humankind’s earliest technological achievements was to make a crossing point over a river – that physical boundary which separated communities and individuals from others. Now, in Tadcaster, the residents shout to one another across the river, and have to make 10-mile journeys to get to the other side. The song, of course, isn’t about a physical bridge, but the bridge that we can be for other people when they’re experiencing ‘troubled waters’ in their lives. In this month of St Valentine, let’s all try to show that kind of true love to others. And – not surprisingly – Jesus thought it was a good idea too! … There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Blessings,
Janet

The Revd Janet Tebby
01664 474096

janet@oakhamteam.org.uk