Building Bridges

SongsByMike

Building Bridges

Our home-teachers came to visit in January 2008. They have been very faithful in fulfilling their stewardship – so much so that even our children look forward to their visits. We are usually entertained with visual aids and sometimes treats as the month’s message is willingly and lovingly presented. The First Presidency message for January 2008 was by President Thomas S. Monson entitled “The Master Bridge Builder”. As Brother Blodgett offered for inspection the miniature bridge that he had constructed from toothpicks (my young daughters would later attempt to duplicate it on their own – the lesson lived on in their mind) and shared the poem that President Monson referenced entitled “The Bridge Builder” by Will Allen DromGoole, I felt inspired. I thought of those who had built bridges for me in my life and I especially contemplated the three bridges mentioned by President Monson that were built by the Savior - bridges of obedience, service, and prayer. I felt those familiar vibrations within me and thought that a song might be in the works. Within the next week, I had the basic music and lyrics formed, although they continued to be edited and revised for weeks after (and will likely still undergo great revisions in the future).

I have great feelings of gratitude as I look back on my long road of life and am now able to clearly see some of the bridges that were so selflessly built for me by family, friends, leaders, and even strangers. I especially offer thanks to our Savior, for without His bridges, it would all have little meaning. And I am grateful for the bridges that are now being built by my home-teachers for me and my family to constantly remind us of these important truths. I only hope and pray that I might be an instrument in building similar bridges for others.

Struggling down my road one day, I saw a man working out in the cold and gray

Down in a chasm wide and steep, where the turbulent waters run fierce and deep.

He had crossed over without delay, but now he vowed to build a safer way.

I said to Him, as I made my way through, “You’ve already crossed; what are you trying to do?”

He said, “I’m building bridges to be crossed after I’m gone,

You just never know who might need a steady rail so they can hang on.

I’m building bridges… for them.”

“What a waste of time,” I thought, as I hurried to regain the time I lost.

Then I found another bridge he’d left, and I paused a moment just to catch my breath.

And looking back on that long, rugged road, I caught a view of the truth as it now flowed:

I owed a debt of gratitude to Him – the Master Builder made me who I am…

‘Cause He was - building bridges to be crossed after He’d gone,