Nails in the Fence

The story below was forwarded to an entire school district by the district superintendent. I think this story is a beautiful example of the effects our words and actions have on people. God has blessed us with an opportunity to show people what it means to love and be loved by Him every time we encounter another person. I think there are times when we all forget about this whether we're frustrated at a check out counter, waiting in a drive through or out with a friend, our actions are an example of how we let the Father shine through and in us.

Nails In The Fence

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same.”

When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out but it won't matter how many times you say “I'm sorry”, the wound will still be there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

Remember that friends are very rare jewels indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.