An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer 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 they would get by. He needed to retire.
The contractor was sorry to hear his good worker was leaving and asked him to build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and he used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to leave such a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished the work, the employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the carpenter the key to the front door.
“This is your house,” said the employer, “It is my gift to you.”
The carpenter was shocked. If only he had known he was building his own house, he would have done it differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives one day at a time, often putting less than our best effort into the building. Then with a shock we realize that we have to live in the house we built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently. But we can’t 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 once said. Your attitudes and choices you make today, build the “house” you live in tomorrow. Build wisely.
