House Building.

Yesterday I walked past a house where a friend was in the back garden building and extension. He seemed very proud of the way things were going and insisted on my seeing his workmanship.

As I left him I was reminded of the tale of the man who all his life had worked in the construction business, building houses.

Now as an elderly carpenter he was ready to retire. He spoke with his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the wages he earned each week, but he wanted to retire. 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 said yes, 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 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. 



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 realise we 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. 

Therefore, Build wisely!

I hope you have a productive day and a wonderful weekend.