In heaven
tonight
you’ll cross a bridge
and make your final
journey home
to your Lord and God
who will surely say,
“Well done. Well done,
my good and
faithful servant.
Welcome home.”

In life, you were
building bridges
before anyone understood
how high
the waters would rise.
You searched
for common ground
and stood there,
undaunted by former friends
who drew back their bows
and took aim.

When the enemy
swooped in,
attempting to
lay claim to what
you had so carefully
constructed,
you spoke out
but would not judge.
And you kept on
building bridges,
reaching.

I will remember
you, builder of bridges, as
a gentle man,
a true disciple,
a person of deep
conviction
and the kind of faith
that not only survives
the storm
but sees others
through it as well.

Rest now in the
peace
you sought to bring
to warring parties,
blind to the chasm
they created.
Your bridges
stand strong, and
I have faith
we will
cross them yet.

~ for Roy Lee Honeycutt, former president of Southern Seminary, Louisville, Ky., who died today, 12/21/04.