When Joseph's
brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears
a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to
him!" So they sent a message
to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying, 'Thus you
shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your
brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive
the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph
wept when they spoke to him. (Genesis 50:15-17)
We all need to be
reminded on a regular basis of the importance of forgiveness to our mental,
physical and spiritual health. The
saddest bitterness is that which separates families over a period of
years. Often, the reason for the
bitterness is long forgotten as entrenched separation creates family
disunity. The following story suggests
that it may not take much to open the door for healing. Peace may only need an opportunity.
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. 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 go him one
better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a
fence - - an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him
down, anyhow."
The carpenter said, "I
think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the posthole digger and
I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother had to go
to town for supplies, 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 across,
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 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 you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many
more bridges to build."
You
may have an opportunity in your life today to tear down a fence and build a
bridge which can bring healing to individuals or even families. If so, consider it a great privilege to be
used by God for such an act.
Scripture to
Claim:
But one whom you forgive
anything, I forgive also; for
indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the
presence of Christ, (2 Corinthians 2:10)
