Building Bridges

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on neighboring farms fell into conflict. One morning, a young carpenter stopped by the older brother’s farm, wanting to know if the farmer had a little work. Yes,” he replied. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek. That’s my younger brother’s farm. Last week, there was a meadow between us, but he took his bulldozer and dug a small river. Well, I’m going to do him one better. I want you to build an eight-foot-high fence between us. The carpenter said, “Show me the material, and I’ll do a good job for you.”

The older brother had to go to town, so he left for the day. At sunset, when he returned, his eyes opened wide, and his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. The carpenter had instead built a bridge that stretched from one side of the river to the other! As he peered across, he noticed his younger brother coming toward them, his arms outstretched. 

The two brothers met in the middle, and tears were shed. They turned around just in time to see the carpenter leaving. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I have a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother. “I’d love to,” the carpenter said, “but I have many more bridges to build.”

Friends of Dial Hope, the carpenter’s job is our job too! We are called to be bridge builders.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

Let us pray: Loving God, in our own lives, help us to build bridges. Help us to be instruments of your peace and reconciliation. And as we do, may we experience anew your peace, your comfort, and your amazing grace. Amen.