build a 'wise' house

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. 
He told 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 paycheck each week, but he 
wanted to retire. They could get by. 
The contractor was sorry to see his good 
worker go & asked if he could build just 
one more house as a personal favor. 
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 realize 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-ityourself project." 
Your attitude, and the choices you make today, 
help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. 
Therefore, Build wisely!