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Building Your Own House

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An elderly carpenter was ready to retire after years of work.

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He told his employer-contractor of his plans

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to leave the house-building business

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to live a more leisurely life with his wife

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and enjoy his extended family.

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He would miss the paycheck each week,

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but he wanted to retire.

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With the money the carpenter had put aside

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during the years he worked for the employer-contractor,

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they could get by.

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The contractor was very sorry to see his good worker go

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and asked if he could possibly build just one more house

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as a personal favor for him.

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The carpenter said yes,

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but over time it was easy to see

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that his heart was not in his work at all.

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He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials.

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You see, it was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

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When the carpenter finished his work,

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his employer came to inspect the house.

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Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said,

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“This is your house...my gift to you.”

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The carpenter was shocked!

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What a shame!

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If he had only known he was building his own house,

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he would have done it all so differently.

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So it is with us.

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We build our lives, a day at a time,

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often putting less than our best into the building.

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Then, with a shock,

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we realize we have to live in the house we have built.

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If we could do it all over again,

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we would do it much differently.

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But you cannot go back.

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You are the carpenter,

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and everyday you hammer a nail,

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place a board, or erect a wall.

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Someone once said,

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“Life is a do-it-yourself project.”

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Your attitude and the choices you make today

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helps to build the “house” you will live in tomorrow.

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Therefore, build wisely!