Psalm 61:3 (KJV)   For thou hast been a shelter for me….

 

  Connecticut is covered with covered bridges. Dozens of these safe havens are tucked away on country roads, crossing rock strewn creeks, and bridging a gap between today and yesteryear. The names are as picturesque as the bridges themselves, often depicting the rivers and creeks they cross, or the nearby landscape. Names, like the bridge at Deep River, or Huckleberry Hill, Stony Brook and Schoolhouse Creek, all prick an urge to travel in the heart of everyone born with a desire to look around the next corner.

            Covered bridges are history lessons in themselves, and are a visible portal back into the 19^th century, where they reflect a slower, quieter way of life. Connecticut is not the only place in America with covered bridges, however; all of New England is populated with them, as well as much of the Midwest, and even Oregon, California and much of the west have them in various stages of restoration. Madison County, Iowa , which only has six remaining bridges, popularized these  passageways in the movie of the same name. But Connecticut, with over 75 bridges listed and accessible, gives a marvelous representation of these protectors of the pathways.

            Today bridges are made of steel and other materials that withstand the elements better than wood, thus covering them is un-necessary. But the bridges of old were made of wood, which  shortened their usefulness; thus they were assembled and then covered in order to preserved these oaken structures from the elements. An exposed wooden bridge usually had lifespan of only a decade or so, while those which were covered, could live out a period from 75 to 100 years.

            But covered bridges offered more benefits that merely that of preserving trusses and beams. They became safe havens from storms that might come upon the traveler of old. Without the luxuries of today the traveler of the bygone years was in real need of a place to run, should lightening or other severe weather suddenly come upon them.

            And each of these bridges was a landmark, or a point of reference to guide the wanderer along his way, and a place of rest before continuing the journey.

            Do you suppose, if you were to engage the romantic side of yourself, that these bridges could also have been meeting places for lovers; maybe a stopping place on a buggy ride in the twilight of a New England evening?

                        The covered bridges of Connecticut, as well as those which abound all over New England, did fill many needs beyond the mere necessity of protecting their own structures. Certainly the bridge builders of old knew these things when they drew up their plans.

            Now do you suppose the One who drew up the plans for your life and mine placed a shelter into the blueprints of life? Could His plans have included Himself as the safe haven, the refuge from the storm, the place to find love, and the reference point for the traveler?

            I just bet He did, and, in my minds eye, I can see him sitting on a boulder, in the middle of a swift running Connecticut stream, when he planned it all out.