Building our house

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor about his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He also said that he would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and wanted to do something memorable for the carpenter.  So he  asked if the carpenter could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed half heartedly, but over time he lost interest in his work. He resorted to lazy  workmanship and used inferior materials though it was an unfortunate way to end his dedicated career.

When the carpenter 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. But this was his own fate which he did with his own hands.

We build our lives, a day at a time, sometimes putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, we cannot go back. We are the carpenter of our life, and every day we hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, 
"Life is a do-it-yourself project." 
Our attitude, and the choices we make today, help to build  "house" we will live tomorrow. Therefore, Build it wisely!