THE CARPENTER

The Carpenter
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."

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.

God won't ask about the color of your skin, but He'll ask about the content of
your character.

God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, but He'll lovingly take
you to your mansion in Heaven, and not to the gates of hell.

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...