Best Bridge: A Story of Faithfulness & Friendship

Like so many of you, my world is not void of difficulty or carried out in isolation, but rather it is filled with challenging circumstances and tumultuous trials. But let me be clear, there’s just as much, if not more, love, hope, and abundance to spare in my life. Why? Because God has blessed me with one of his greatest gifts. Friendship. Thanks to this gift I overcame a particularly exigent beast that I’ve grown to know and sort of like…graduate school! Who may that friend be you ask? Well, let me introduce you. Say hi Gil!

How We Met

Hi! I am Gillian! It’s spelled with a “G”, but pronounced with a “J” for all those wondering. Jazmine and I met in the fall of 2019. We were in the same Master’s program and, unsurprisingly, in the same graduate assistantship. The moment I saw Jaz, I knew we were going to be friends. Now before things get weird, let’s be clear, there was no cosmic moment where time stood still and sparks flew or anything like that. Rather, there was just an inner knowing where I just knew that we were going to get through the next four semesters together. I also decided that she was going to be my partner, whether she wanted to or not. At class that evening, I made a point to sit beside her and the rest is history. But we collaborated on more than just classwork though. We processed the junk from the past, debriefed from the stress of our current life, and planned for the big dreams we had for the future. Our partnership soon blossomed into a friendship, and I cannot imagine having gone through graduate school without her.

Like Gil, no fireworks painted the sky while a well-choreographed dance and song narrated the beginning of our friendship. Rather I just knew. I knew that we would friends. What I could not have predicted was just how far our friendship would take us in order to reach our goals. It is because of God’s grace and Gil’s encouragement that we finished graduate school early and with enough letters after our name to rightly impersonate the alphabet.

Origin of “Best Bridge”

One evening, while writing a paper no doubt, I was having a spiral about the pressure I was under. During my spiral, I laid out how life would work out for me assuming my life blew up. I went down this long rabbit hole of unfortunate events that ended with me being homeless. However, because of my history with the Lord, I knew that even in the event of my dumpster fire of a life, I'd end up under one of the very best bridges. Not because of anything I have done, but simply because of His faithfulness to me.

As Gil tumbled, I chuckled, because we had gone from failing this assignment to living under a bridge in a matter of minutes. But I think we both realized the truth in her conclusion. We knew that His will was good, pleasing, and perfect. We knew that God loved us. And because of that love, he would take care of us no matter what – especially during midterms.

How We Use “Best Bridge” Now

Today, the meaning of “Best Bridge” still holds true. Everything and anything could blow up at any moment, but I know that even if things go sideways, I will still be okay. I will still have something to be grateful and thankful for. Even if I am living under a bridge, I feel confident that I will be under the very best bridge. When Jazmine and I talk these days, we will use "Best Bridge" as a calling card of sorts. It serves as both a reminder for the past, and gives us a renewed perspective of the future. No matter what is to come, we have this blessed assurance, like the old folk say, in Jesus. I am not sure about a lot of things in my life, but I am unflinchingly convinced of the goodness and sovereignty of God. I trust His will and plan for my life, even when I do not fully understand. I don't say that because it sounds good, or because that's what I've heard or been told. I say it because I've experienced it firsthand.

Closing

This simple phrase serves as a reminder of where we have been and as a beacon of hope for where we are going. No matter what crosses your path, Gil and I hope that you will see it as an opportunity to remember God’s faithfulness to you. Best Bridge to you all!

Let’s move forward together.