The sun had just risen over Stevenson Alabama.  The cool morning mist hangs heavy in the air like a thick perfume.  The winds were off visiting neighbors in another state and I was left alone to enjoy this unique view of the Captain John Snodgrass Bridge which spans the majestic Tennessee River. 

        I can remember the first time I drove across this mighty bridge.  I was 12 years old and the memories of that night still shake me when I recall how scared I was.  Since that fearful night I have no doubt crossed this bridge hundreds of times and it still thrills my soul to look out over the waters and the valley that stretches out below me.  On this day my thoughts go to another bridge, the one in Minneapolis which collapsed and hurt and killed so many people.  As a prayer leaves my lips for those affected by that great tragedy I begin to ponder this bridge in a new light.

        As I examine the belly of my bridge I begin to consider how important a bridge is to a community.  It brings jobs, commerce, convenient transportation, recreation and a hundred other things I have taken for granted all my life.  A bridge brings people together, unites families and binds people together like no other manmade structure can do.  As I look up and hear a car pass over my new friend I find myself whispering another prayer; a prayer that my life would be spent building bridges.

         I may never join steel and concrete together and stand it up over a river, but I can build bridges.  I can help those who have stumbled to find higher ground.  I can bring friends separated by hurt feelings back together again.  I can reach out a hand to those who have fallen and lift them up again.  We are all building something.  Some people spend their lives building only for themselves, some people build walls to guard their stuff, and others think about those who will follow them and build bridges.  What are you building today?  Reach out to someone today and build a bridge.  We already have all the materials that we need; kind words, helpful deeds, and those things we take for granted every day.  Build a bridge of friendship to someone today and you too will be thankful for your bridge.

Something to think about:

• If we would only learn to build bridges instead of fences, we could charge tolls.

• A pessimist burns his bridges before he gets to them.

• The world is just a bridge; pass over—don’t fear what lies beyond.

• A friend is one who helps you bridge the gaps between loneliness and fellowship, frustration and confidence, despair and hope, setbacks and success.

• You cannot build your mansion in heaven with mud you throw at others.

• Past failure often furnishes the finest material from which to build future success.

• He who builds a fence always fences more out than he fences in.

Thankful to the bridge builders I have know
Rickey Moore