An elderly carpenter was ready to
retire, and he told his boss of his
plans to leave and live a more
leisurely life with his wife. He would
miss the paycheck, he could get by,
but he needed to retire.
The contractor was sorry to see such
a good worker go, and he asked the
carpenter to 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 contractor came to inspect the
house. He handed the front-door key
to the carpenter. "This is your house,"
contractor said. "It is 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 would do it
much differently. But we cannot go
back...
ou are the carpenter of your life.
Each day you hammer a nail, place a
board, or erect a wall. Your attitudes
and the choices you make today build
your "house" for tomorrow...
