Got this from a forwarded email...
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractorof his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurelylife with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss thepaycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he couldbuild just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, butover time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. Heresorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was anunfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect thehouse. 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 wouldhave done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting lessthan our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have tolive in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do itmuch 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." Your attitude, and the choices you make today,help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, build wisely!
