Standing Against the Flood

We stripped it to its very bones,

The girders made of steel

Anchored in the banks on either side.

The oak with which we planked it

Was fresh-cut sawmill

Hauled about thirty miles.

With cutting torch we cut new holes

For each and every bolt

Then laid that rough-cut timber

One piece at a time

Until the creek was crossed

And then we checked our work

By driving over it with pickup and tractor

Into the hay meadow

Where the green grass needed mowed

An rolled into winter forage

For the cattle whose needs

Were our responsibility

And our privilege.

Then waters came in flood

And rose above the boards

We had so carefully laid.

Debris piled against the side

And lodged on top

But, still our work stood

Against the raging torrent.

We were gratified.

Life is like this bridge we built

Upon the work of those who came before.

Each plank carefully laid and secured

Against the times of storm

Which seek to wash our work away

But, if we do our work well

And anchor each piece securely

It will stand.

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. -- Ephesians 6:14-15