Three Bricklayers and a Sage
I heard this parable of the Three Bricklayers and a Sage my freshman year of college and I have always remembered it because I realized there was more to creating a home than having things neatly polished and orderly, it is my stewardship.
Like the first bricklayer, it is easy to consider the daily work to maintain a family a necessary evil. "We want to get the work done very quickly so that we can fill our days with other things, seemingly more important or pleasurable" (Creating Home as a Sacred Center, p. 3). Including children in household work isn't the most efficient way to get it done, so we decline their help and quickly rush through the work to get on to "real life."
"As with the second bricklayer, others of us are more enlightened and find greater satisfaction in participating in the everyday activities of the home. We enjoy doing the work required to maintain a family and doing it well. We like to have the house clean, the laundry done, the lawns mowed, the windows shining,...the dinner cooked, and so forth. We know we are expected to teach our children to work, so even though it is difficult for us, we patiently involve children in these daily tasks...We may fail to perceive the big picture, the sacred nature of what we are doing. And there is the danger that we might experience depression or burnout...Consequently, the joy we find in everyday activities may be limited.
Unfortunately, only a precious few of us see things like the third bricklayer. We need to be continually reminded to catch the vision of the sacred meaning of everyday activities in the home. We eventually come to see our responsibilities as a stewardship from God. In the everyday activities of the home we discover sacred times and places of association where healthy, enduring family relationships are created. We experience the sweet joy that comes from appreciating the connections between what they are doing in the home and God's divine will for them" (Creating Home as a Sacred Center, p.3). I'll be posting another story "Doing Dishes with Daddy" to explain this concept more completely.
A long time ago, in a far away land, a wise old sage was drawn to a site where a large edifice was under construction. Stroking his beard thoughtfully, he observed patiently from the edge of a clearing as three bricklayers labored at their trade. They all did the same work, and yet their demeanor, enthusiasm, and focus seemed to vary considerably. The white-haired sage pondered what might be at the heart of this difference.
His curiosity led him to the bricklayer closest to him. He approached and asked, "What are you doing here, my good man?" With a scowl on his face the first bricklayer looked up briefly and barked, "Can’t you see? Are you blind? I’m laying brick! I come every day to this back-breaking, God-forsaken job, but I have no other choice. I need the money." Then he looked at his watch and said curtly, "Is it time for my break yet?"
The sage shook his head and stroked his beard again. "This man is not happy," he thought as he walked to the second bricklayer. He inquired, "What are you doing here, my good man?" This man seemed very focused and intent in his labor. After a lengthy pause and without looking up, he replied, "I am laying brick to build this sturdy wall, sir. I see that every brick is laid perfectly straight and level. I see that this wall is built to specification, well within the established tolerances. In an earthquake, sir, this wall will stand while others may fall. As you can see, I do high-quality work, but I also do it efficiently. I work hard and I work smart." The second bricklayer beckoned to the sage and displayed with pride his progress on the most excellent wall he was constructing.
"I like this man better than the first," the sage thought as he ambled on. "He seems to have enthusiasm and focus, but I"m not sure that he is really happy." The sage then approached and silently observed the third bricklayer. This man’s face was full of peace and his countenance literally glowed. He seemed to intensely enjoy his work and lovingly placed each brick with care and pure intent. There was something different about him. The sage slowly approached and asked, "What are you doing here, my good man?" With a joyful smile he paused, looked the sage in the eye, and responded, "Dear brother, I am building a house of the Lord, a temple to my God. When we have completed this sacred endeavor, I will come to this place to be married to my true love. Come, my friend, lay some bricks with me." Though inexperienced in bricklaying, the sage felt the irresistible draw to contribute, and immediately went to work, his being filled with peace and love.
