Reading Room - Daily life in print
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"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, then 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 the older brother'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," he explained.  "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 
high 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 and 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, with handrails, and all!
  The neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them with 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."  

Just remember this:

1. 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.

2. God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how 
   many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask 
   how many you helped to clothe.

4. God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many
   people to whom you were a friend.

5. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but He'll ask how you 
   treated your neighbors.

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

7. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, but He'll be
   glad you did.

Author unknown.   Edited from an e-mail attachment.

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