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 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 t he 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.

Came to me in my email from Tammy
Author Unknown to me.

'CHURCH IN THE WEEDS'

Just two little boys walking down this dusty lane...
They came upon this old white house...
With broken window panes


The paint was faded, the shine was gone...
The grass had grown so high...
Still they made their little feet,
Go see what was inside.

They opened up the squeaky door and then it came to light...
This must have been an old church house...
Once upon a time.

Dirty, dusty wooden pews...A pulpit that still stood....
A Bible lay upon it...Though the pages weren't too good..

An offering plate and song books too...
Were lying on the floor.
They must have left this old church fast...
The day they closed these doors.

And over in the corner...
A piano was still there,
It must have played a pretty tune...
But I guess nobody cared.


So little Bill looked up at Tommy...
And Tommy looked at Bill...
'Why don't we clean this old church

up, and get these old pews filled?'

They took a rag and wiped the dust...
To try and make things shine...
And then they took the offering plate...
And put in it their last dime.

They took a broom and swept the floor...
And picked up broken glass...
They got it all so nice and neat...
And then they mowed the grass.

They lifted up the old church sign...
And stood it by a tree....
Right down by that old dirt road
where everyone could see.

They ran back home, to find Daddy

gone but their Momma was inside,
Just to find her hurt again...
Where Daddy had made her cry.

'Don't cry, Momma, wipe those tears,'
Little Bill and Tommy smiled...
'Cause we have a big surprise for you...
Just down the road a mile.'

Hand in hand they tugged at her, until they made her run....

'What is it, Bill?

Oh, Tommy, just what have you two kids done?'

And then they came upon the house...
Once hidden by the weeds...
And there it stood a country church...
Just like it used to be.

'But what is it, Mother? What's with your tears?
We thought this would bring you joy.'
'Yes, but hush, kids, now and listen close... My two sweet precious boys.'

They both got quiet and stood real still...
For the words they heard so true...
Was Daddy praying in the church...
With his head bowed on the pew.

'Forgive me, Lord! Forgive me, Lord!

Though I'm not worthy of Your love...
Shine down on this sinner man, sweet Salvation from above.'

'For I've been out in the world, you know...
Living my life all wrong...
Until I came upon this church, the
place where I belong.'

'I never noticed it before...
All those times I passed it up...
I guess I wasn't looking, Lord....
Or maybe I was drunk.'

'Bless, oh, Lord, yes, bless, oh, Lord, The one who made me see..
This little church that used to hide....
Behind all those tall weeds.'

And then he raised his head and stood...
With his hands high in the air...
To find two dirty, tear-faced boys....
With Momma standing there.

They ran up to him, hugged him tight...
As their tears fell on the floor.
'Don't worry, kids, I'm not the Dad,
the one you've known before.'

Things are different for us now...
So keep on those pretty smiles.
And let's go gather people in...
To walk down these church aisles.'

Then Bill looked up at Tommy...
And Tommy looked at Bill...
'Come on, brother, let's get to work...
To get these old pews filled.'

'For we need no special blessing...
For cleaning up this church....
cause God gave us back our Daddy...
And that's more than gold is worth.'

Sunday morning, pews all filled and smiles on every face...
Especially two little country boys...
The ones who found this place.

Though it was hid back in the weeds...
And so far out of sight...
Nothing's ever hard to find if you're
walking toward God's light.

1-John 1:7 'We walk in the light as He is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.'

IN GOD WE STILL TRUST

Won't you please share this with people you want to be
blessed? Expect the unexpected...Have A Great Day!!


Received in my email from Judy, Author Unknown to me.

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