Once upon a time, there were two brothers who lived on adjoining farms.  They got along well and shared everything. They shared machinery, seed and traded labor and goods as needed without a hitch. One day, their relationship began to fall apart.  It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side. It began with a small misunderstanding. 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 some work,” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there.  Could I help you?”

      “Yes,” answered 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’s place. Last week, in the meadow that borders our farms, he dug the creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll do him one better.  See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build a tall wall at the end of my barn so I won’t need to see his place anymore. 

     The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation.  Show me the nails and the post-hole digger. I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.”

      The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready, then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all 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 wall there at all.  Instead, there was a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! The older brother walked down to the creek to inspect it.  It was very well built with nice handrails and all.

     As he stood there, he saw his younger brother on the other side of the bridge.  As the younger brother started across the bridge, so did the older brother. They met in the middle and the two embraced and forgave each other.

     They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder.  “No, wait! Stay a few days. I have 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.”

     Moral of the story: Am I going to be a wall builder or a bridge builder? I know which one Jesus wants me to be.

     I hope this series has been a help to you.  Remember, if you are having problems forgiving, I would suggest you see a good Christian counselor.  It is worth it to be set free from the load that unforgiveness places upon us.

If you want to read this series from the beginning, click here.