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 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."
Illustration by Pastor Tim
Are there any bridges you need to build as this New Year begins?