The Brooklyn Bridge, which links Brooklyn to Manhattan Island, is one of the most famous bridges in the world. At the time it was first conceived in 1883, however, bridge-building experts throughout the world told the designer, a creative engineer by the name of John Roebling, that his idea wouldn't work. Roebling convinced his son Washington, who was also an engineer, that his idea had merit.
The two developed the concept, resolved the problems others had forecast, and enthusiastically hired a crew to build their bridge. After only a few months of building, a tragic on-site accident took John's life and severely injured Washington, who became unable to talk or walk.
Everyone thought the project would have to be abandoned, since the Roeblings were the only ones who knew the dynamics of building the bridge. Washington, however, could still think, and he had a burning desire to see the bridge finished. As he lay in his hospital bed, he had an idea. He would communicate with the engineers by using one finger to tap out in code on his wife's arm what he wanted her to tell them.
Washington tapped out his instructions for 13 years until the bridge was built! Leaders are not only self-starters, they are finishers. The apostle Paul urges us, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).