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 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
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, 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 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 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 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 drove who didn't have transportation.

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, b! ut He'll ask
how many you helped to clothe.

God won't ask about your social status; He will ask what kind of class
you displayed.

God won't ask how many material possession you had, but He'll ask if
they dictated your life.

God won't ask what your highest salary was, but He'll ask if you
compromised your character to obtain it.

God won't ask how much overtime you worked, but He'll ask if your
overtime work was for yourself or for your family.

God won't ask how many promotions you received, but He'll ask how you
promoted others.

God won't ask what your job title was, but He'll ask if you performed
your job to the best of your ability.

God won't ask what you did to help yourself, but He'll ask what you did
to help others.

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 what you did to protect your rights, but He'll ask what
you did to protect the rights of others.

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 how many times your deeds matched your words, but He'll
ask how many times they didn't.

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.

ANON