 A story shared by author Jimmy Dodd… On March 26, 2024, at 1:28 a.m. the India-based container ship Dali lost power and subsequently struck one of the piers of the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River in Baltimore. Tragically, six members of a highway maintenance crew lost their lives. The collapse blocked shipping into the Port of Baltimore impacting more than 8,000 jobs. A question the following day brought a surprising response. A reporter asked, “Why weren’t tugboats used to escort all ships through the harbor?” The answer was, “While tugboats could have prevented the disaster, they were cost prohibitive.” I remember taking a leisurely ride on an evening water taxi though an Atlantic Ocean harbor with my wife. The taxi was a relatively inexpensive way to spend some extended time on the water. As we journeyed through the harbor, we watched with skepticism as a massive ship attempted to turn itself to neatly fit into its designated dock slip. And then, out of nowhere, a tugboat approached the stern of the ship while another approached the stern from the opposite side. As they neared the ship, they increased their speed. Wham! The lead tugboat hit the ship at full speed. It retreated and then repeatedly struck the ship five or six times before we began to see the result. Amazingly, the mammoth ship began to turn. After several minutes of consistent collisions, the ship was safely in dock. As the tugboat steamed to help another ship exiting the port, I was able to make out the name that adorned it’s back. Faithful. A tugboat called Faithful. Experts said that even when a 900-foot cargo ship loses power, even a small number of tugboats would possess the necessary power to safely maneuver it out of the harbor. When the Dali lost power, it could have greatly benefited from a tugboat like Faithful. As followers of Christ, we need tugboats in our lives. We need colleagues, friends, bosses, mentors, teachers, coaches, counselors, spiritual guides and family members to help us when they see us drifting (a gentle nudge) or going the wrong direction (a significant push). We all need faithful friends in our lives to guide us through the challenging harbors of life. We were not created by the Lord to navigate life alone. We were created for community. Connection is our God-given DNA. We need one another. When we convince themselves that we no longer need voices in our lives to guide us through dangerous harbors, a catastrophe is inevitable. We need faithful tugboats to guide us in our darkest hours, and to help us navigate life. I am grateful for the people in my life that help me on this journey and I consider it a privilege to be there for others. Who are the “tugboats” in your life? Who are you a “tugboat” for as we all do life together? May the Lord continue to guide and bless us.
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