THE DAMAGED FENCE
As the father guided his son through
the childhood years,
he observed that his son supported a strong temper.
After much thought and prayer,
the father proceeded with a method to teach his young son
how to control his temper.
He told the lad that each time he lost his temper he was to
drive a nail into the slats on the old fence out back.
Placing his bucket of nails and hammer in the shed,
the son agreed to his father's request.
Each time he lost his temper during the next few weeks,
he would go to the old fence and drive a nail.
He became weary having to stop and drive a nail every time
he would loose his temper and began to struggle to gain control.
Finally the day came that he didn't have to drive a nail and he
was so excited as he shared his accomplishment with his father.
The father commended his son and told him to now remove the
nails from the old fence. The obedient son agreed and had soon
removed all the nails. His father walked his son over to the fence,
pointing out the deep and hollow holes that were left behind by
the
nails. He explained to his son that there was no way to undo the
damage and that each nail had weakened the link between the two
solid
posts. His words of wisdom rang clearly in the heart of his son
as
the father associated the post as family and friends and the slats
as the love and respect that holds us together.
The son then realized that his uncontrolled temper could do
irreversible damage to the hearts and lives of those he loved.
With a tear streaming down his cheek, he leaned his little head
against his wise father's waist and warmly said, "thanks
daddy".
