In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.
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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
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 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 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 how many people you thought of, but He'll ask you about all those with whom you took the time to listen and to share...
In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity, as reported in Jeremiah 31:31-34, every human being can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.
© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
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