THE CARPENTER

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his
employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building 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 asked 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 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.

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.

For More Information Contact: The Real Building Manual written and
inspired by The Master Carpenter of Life! :-)

-- Author Unknown