|
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. 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 and he 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 go him one better.
See that pile
of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence
an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore.
Cooling him down, anyhow. " 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 for supplies, 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,
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 stretching from
one side of the creek to the other!
A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the
neighbors, his younger brother,
was coming across, 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 the middle, taking each other's hand.
They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on 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."
Author Unknown
How sad that this is still true.
We should build more
bridges then fences. Many families
are like this and
a family member dies without the bridge
ever built. Jesus was a carpenter who built
bridges. The greatest
bridge He built was the one on Calvary
where He died
for our sins so that we would not have
to spend eternity separated from Him.
Which brother or
sister will take the first step to build the bridge?
Self pride with harden hearts make it
hard to say I am sorry, forgive
me. Remember once one dies it
is to late to build the bridge here on
earth ! ! !
|
|
|
