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.