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 wisely!
Love - Words