BUILDING BRIDGES

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. After  40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, & trading labor & goods without any problem, they had their first serious rift. 

All their years of brotherhood & love fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding & it grew into a major difference, & 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 a few days work,” he said.

“Perhaps u have a few small jobs here &  there, I can help u ?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for u. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor, in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was an open field between us but he took his bulldozer , dug it up to the river & now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll be one better than him.  See that pile of wood? I want u to build me a fence – a high fence  – so I won’t need to see his place & his face anymore.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Trust me.  I’ll be able to do a job that pleases u.”

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 that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

Just before 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 & all – & the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

“ U are a good man to build this bridge after all I’ve said & done.” The younger brother said tearfully. .....conned

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, & then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for u,” said the older brother.

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

Build bridges

Not fences.

If u are currently in a strained relationship with anyone, do away with the stress & heartache u are bringing onto urself. Be the bigger person & forgive just for the pleasure of اللّه  Subhana Ta'ala. U'l instantly feel better as if u have broken free from chains that were tieing u down..

Our Nabi Kareem sallallaahu alayhi wasallam has said ;

   " Do not hate one another, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert each other, and O, Allah’s worshipers! Be brothers.  It is not permissible for any Muslim to desert (not talk to) his brother (Muslim) for more than three days.” 

   [Bukhari]