An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans
to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurel life with his
wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week ,
but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The employer 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 work. He resorted to shoddy
workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end
his career.
When the carpenter finished his work ,his employer came to inspect the house.
Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter "This is your house..."
he said " my gift to you. "
What a shocked!
What a shame!If he had only known he was building his own house,he would
have done it all so differently.Now he had to live in the home he had built
none too well.
So it is with us .We build our lives in a destructive way, reacting rather
than acting, willing to put up less than the best.At important points we do
not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation
we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built.
If we had realized, we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you
hammer a nail, place a board,or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only
life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more,that
day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.The plaque on the wall
says,"Life is a do-it-yourself project." Who could say it more clearly? Your
life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.