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
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 over
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. Cool 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 neighbor, 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 met at the
middle of the bridge, 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 so many more bridges to build."
FATHER We are calling upon you just one more time, we are asking you Father to accept one more of your children into your fold, keep him safe. ~Amen~
Created By LaVerne Thompson
