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 his career.
When the carpenter finished his work
and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor
handed the front-door key to the carpenter."This
is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
What a shock! What a shame! If he
had only known he was building his own house, he would
have done it all so differently. Now he had to live
in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us.
We build our lives in a distracted
way reacting rather than acting, willing to put up
less than the best. At important points we do not give
the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look
at the situation we have created and find that we are
now living in the house we have built.
If we had realized, we would have
done it differently. Think of yourself as the carpenter.
Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail,
place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is
the only life you will ever build.
Even if you live it for only one
day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously
and with dignity.
(Author Unknown)
