Build wisely!

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-it-yourself project."
Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live
in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely!