"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, 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 day's work," he said. "Perhaps, you would have a few small jobs here and there that 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 that 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 young 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 the 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 wouldn't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'd ask how many people you helped get where they needed to go.

God would not ask the square footage of your house, but He'd ask how many people you welcomed into your home whenever they needed a place to stay. Will you welcome them or not??...

God would not ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'd ask how many people you helped to clothe, or if you had ever given your clothes away to the poors.

God would not ask how many friends you had, but He'd ask how many people to whom you were a true friend. Will you help to feed the poors, if you have some food to spare from your table served with plenty of food? Will you help them in times of troubles, or will you just walk away from them??...

God would not ask in what neighborhood you lived, but He'd ask how you treated your neighbors.

God would not ask about the color of your skin, but He'd ask about the content of your character, and if you would treat others in the same way you wished to be treated.

God would not ask why it took so long to seek Salvation, but He'd lovingly take you to His mansion in Heaven. The weight of sins is too heavy to carry alone. Be sincere with yourself and with others, because God reads your heart before you even do it. Will you help the ones in need? Are you one that buys everything with money? You see, a kind loving heart is priceless, that no money can buy. Are you my true friend for real? I hope to receive many comments on this post, before I retire it...

You see, I believe in a BROTHERHOOD OF CHRISTIANS IN ACTION.

Thank you in advance for reading!! God bless!!

This blog will retire soon. I invite you to visit my New Journals Blog. The Link is:

www.journeysandjournalsfromourgalaxy.blogspot.com

Please, visit a wonderful and inspirational Christian American Website with Video-Poems with Music, which is my poetical retreat. The Link is:

www.openmyeyeslord.net

In God's Garden,

Poet Starry Dawn.