25 The Carpenter.


The Carpenter

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire, he would miss the wages he earned each week, but he wanted to spend more time with his wife. They would manage on his pension; it might be a more frugal existence, but he was ready to retire. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour.

The carpenter agreed, but over 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 he had finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house, 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 realisewe have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently. 
But you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. 

Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." The attitude and the choices you make today help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. 




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