In this Issue
January 2006

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
Carpenter's bridge leads to forgiveness
By Rev. Dean McIsaac

Christmastime, the holidays, family get-togethers, memories … do you know that at the very time of year when we expect to relax, celebrate and enjoy each other, that things actually become more intense? Old wounds re-surface, harsh words get spoken and conflict settles into family relationships all over again. It’s not what God would want as the centerpiece for the time we remember the birth of His Son. Listen to the following story:

Two brothers who lived on adjoining farms would share machinery and labor until a heated exchange exploded into bitter words that led to weeks of silence between them. OnCarpenter e morning, a stranger knocked at John’s door and introduced himself as a carpenter looking for a few days work.

“Yes, I do have a job for you,” commented the older brother. “Look across the creek at that farm. The creek you see there used to be a meadow, but he bulldozed the river levee so that we now have the creek separating our farms. Do you see that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me an 8-foot fence so that I won’t need to see his place or his face anymore.”

“I understand,” said the carpenter. “And I will do the job for you.”

The older brother had to go to town that afternoon and at dusk he returned home, just as the carpenter was finishing the job. The farmer’s eyes popped open and his jaw dropped when he saw that there was no fence at all. In its place was a bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other – a masterpiece as a structure with handrails and all!

That’s when he saw his younger brother coming across the bridge toward him, hand outstretched. “You are an amazing brother to build this bridge after all I have said and done.” The two brothers stood there in the middle of the bridge and talked.

Turning to the carpenter, they noticed him leaving with his tools. “No, wait! Stay a few days!” said the older brother.

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

Nice story. Is it possible that the “Carpenter from Nazareth” has some bridge-building to do in your life … or in your family? In John 10, as Jesus was commenting on Himself as being ‘the Good Shepherd,’ He described His mission on earth by saying, “Thieves come to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come to give you life that is abundant.” Aren’t you glad that He did that for you and me?

Perhaps one of the best gifts you receive this Christmas will be to reach out to accept the gift of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness that He offers through His precious Son, Jesus. Take Him up on it, won’t you?

Rev. Dean McIsaac is pastor of Quabaog Valley Baptist Church.

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