Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on
adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the
first serious rift in 40 years of farming
side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading
labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then
the long collaboration fell apart. It began with
a small misunderstanding and it grew into a
major difference and finally, it exploded into
an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of
silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He
opened it to find a man with a carpenter's
toolbox.
"I'm looking for a few days' work," he said.
"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here
and there I could help with? Could I help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job
for you. Look across the creek at that farm.
That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger
brother! Last week there was a meadow between
us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river
levee and now there is a creek between us. Well,
he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do
him one better. See that pile of lumber by the
barn? I want you to build me a fence, an 8-foot
fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his
face anymore."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the
situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole
digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases
you."
The older brother had to go to town, so he
helped the carpenter get the materials ready and
then he was off for the day. The carpenter
worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing
and nailing. About sunset when the farmer
returned, the carpenter had just finished his
job.
The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge
.. a bridge that stretched from one side of the
creek to the other! A fine piece of work,
handrails and all! And the neighbor! , his
younger brother, was coming toward them, his
hand outstretched..
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge
after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the
bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each
other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter
hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.
"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other
projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but
I have many more bridges to build."
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Remember This...
God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but
He'll ask how many people you helped get where
they needed to go.
God won't ask the square footage of your house,
but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into
your home.
God won't ask about the clothes you had in your
closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to
clothe.
God won't ask how many friends you had, but
He'll ask how many people to whom you were a
friend.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived,
but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors &
friends.
God won't ask about the color of your skin, but
He'll ask about the content of your character.
God won't ask how many people you forwarded this
to, but He'll ask why you were ashamed to pass
it on to your friends...
Author Unknown
