Subject: Fwd: Two Brothers> > >TWO BROTHERS > > > > > > > > > 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 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, 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, hiss > >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 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 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, but He'll ask > >how > >many you helped to clothe. > > > > > > 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 what your job title was, but He'll ask if you performed > >your > >job to the best of our ability. > > > > > > 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 th! e > >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. > > > > > > God won't ask how many people you forwarded this too, but He'll ask you > >were you ashamed to pass it on to your friends. > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8. > http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail > >