Building bridges in a divided world

We hear a lot about building fences and keeping people out. An “expert” came to a city just north of us to share what they could do, with his help, to “solve” the homeless problem. Votes were made recently in order to “take back” our country. The line in the sand has been drawn … dare we cross it? How can we bring about better understanding and openness to each other? The key word that is being batted about is “compromise” … but that will be all there is on this subject … words with no action. No one wants to budge from his or her “cherished” position. We want and desire all the movement to be from the other side while we stand pat demanding change. Yet, how can we realize change if we are only willing to build fences and walls? A wall only separates … a bridge brings people together. We pride ourselves in being a people united, but in actuality we are a country divided … and the gap grows wider everyday.

From an unknown author comes today’s Modern Day Parable … Oh that we would read it and discover within these words the deeper meaning of actually caring for others … EVERYBODY, not just those who agree with us and/or further our agenda. We have come so far in this country, but we still have leagues further to go before peace will reign supreme throughout our land. We need men and women who are willing to reach out to others … across the aisle that divides us into “red” people and “blue” people so that we can be just people united together for the good of all people. We can continue to emphasize our differences or we can celebrate our similarities within our diversity … it is our choice. One way will destroy our country while allowing us to maintain our ideology while the other way will save our country, as it requires us to find a common thread that will bind us together. As Bob Gillman’s song states: “Bind us together Lord, bind us together with chords that cannot be broken. Bind us together Lord, bind us together Lord, bind us together with love. There is only one God, there is only one king, there is only one body, that is why I sing … bind us together Lord …”

The Bridge
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 and he 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, 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 stretching 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 the in the 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."

Quote for today: New York family bought a ranch out West where they intended to raise cattle. Friends visited and asked if the ranch had a name. "Well," said the would-be cattleman, "I wanted to name it the Bar-J. My wife favored Suzy-Q, one son liked the Flying-W, and the other wanted the Lazy-Y. So we're calling it the Bar-J-Suzy-Q-Flying-W-Lazy-Y." "But where are all your cattle?" the friends asked. "None survived the branding." D.A.C. News