On Becoming Carpenters

Gather round boys and girls, for I want to tell you an important story.

Once upon a time two brothers lived on adjoining farms.  For forty years they were as close as brothers could be.  One sad day they had a falling out with each other that exploded into an exchange of bitter words.  After the words were spoken, there were weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on the elder brother’s door.  When he opened the door he saw a man with a carpenter’s toolbox.  “I’m looking for a few days work” he said.  “Perhaps you have a few small jobs here that I could help you with?”

“Yes,” said the brother.  “I do have a job for you.  See that farm there across the creek?  That’s my neighbor; in fact, it’s my younger brother.  Last week there was a meadow between us.  He took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there’s 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 over by the barn?  I want you to build me a fence that is 8 feet high so I won’t have to look at his place 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 into town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. 

The carpenter went to work measuring, sawing and nailing. He worked all day long.

As the sun was setting, and he was finishing his project, the older brother returned.  His eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped as he gazed upon the project the carpenter had built. 

There was no fence there as he had requested.  No fence at all, you see.  Instead, there was a bridge stretching

from one side of the creek to the other.  It was a fine piece of work complete with handrails, and solidly built.

Just as the older brother started to approach the bridge, his younger brother started crossing from his side, arms outstretched toward his elder brother. 

“You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.”

The two brothers met in the middle of the bridge, arms around each other, locked in a great bear hug. 

After a moment they broke apart and turned to see the carpenter hoisting his toolbox on his shoulder.

“No wait.  Don’t’ go.  Stay a few days.  I’ve got a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother.

“I’d love to say on,” the carpenter said, “but I have many more bridges to build.”

And away he went.

Do I really need to add more words? 

I think not.  Go build your bridges and cross them.

Up-Words

Words of Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

God's Wife

Gather round boys and girls, for I want to tell you an important story.

Once upon a time a boy of about ten years was standing before a shoe store on Broadway.  He was barefooted and was peering through the window.  It was a cold and blustery day and he shivered as he stood looking in the window.

A lady approached the boy and asked, “My small fellow.  Why are you looking so intently at that store window?”

“I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,” he replied.

The lady took him by the hand and went into the store.  She asked the clerk to gather together half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy.  She then asked for a basin of water and a towel.  The store clerk complied and quickly brought the water and towel to her. 

She took the boy to the back part of the store, and removing her gloves; she knelt down, washed his wee feet and dried them with a towel. 

Just as she finished the store clerk brought the socks to her.  She carefully picked a pair of socks out of the stack and began putting them on the boy’s feet, and then she placed a nice and shiny pair of shoes on his feet.  She asked the store clerk to wrap the remaining socks in a bundle and gave them to the boy.

As she turned to leave, she patted him on the head and said, “No doubt, my young man, you feel more comfortable now?”

The astonished young man took her hand and looked up into her face.  Tears were seeping from his eyes.

He asked “Are you God’s wife?”

You see, in that one simple act she became the hands of God. 

How can you and I become God’s hands and feet to those around us? 

My friend Bruce died two years ago.  His best friend Chuck was asked to deliver a poignant moment about Bruce’s life.  He described him thus:

“Bruce was Jesus with skin on.”

We move in and out of other’s lives every day.  We have opportunities to do some good in this world.  We can become the hands and feet of God in odd moments and seemingly insignificant ways.

May we dare to become the brother, the sister, the man, the woman, and yes, the wife of God.

Up-Words

Words of Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Are You Listening

This is a post as much about making great
choices as it is about listening. This quote starts our thoughts. Now wouldn’t it be a tragedy if we left this earth and never discovered we really were pretty awesome? A tragedy indeed. 

Yes this speaks of potential.
Yes this speaks of possibilities.
And it speaks of the power of choice.

THE POWER OF CHOICE!

That is our greatest power.

Okay, this is a short lesson, so we wrap things up with this insightful Shel Silverstein poem.

Onward.
P Michael Biggs
Up-Words
Offering Hope
Encouragement Inspiration
One Word at a Time