The Carpenter
An elderly carpenter
was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the
house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended
family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The
contractor was sorry to see his good Worker go and asked if he could build just one more
house as a personal favor.
The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his
work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate
way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to
inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your
house," he said, "my gift to you." The carpenter was shocked!! What a
shame!! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so
differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best
into the building. Then with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have
built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back. You are
the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board or erect a wall. "Life is a
do-it-yourself project" someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make
today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Build it wisely!!
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