The Carpenter

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire.  He told his
employer-contractor of his plans to leave the housebuilding business and
live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.
He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.  They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and ask if he could
build just one more house as a personal favor.  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 build none too well.

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.  The
plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."

Who could say it more clearly?  Your life today is the result of your
attitudes and choices in the past.  Your life tomorrow will be the result
of your attitudes and the choices you make today.  "And whatever work you
have to do...do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus..."  Colossians
3:17!