From Bernard.....

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer or 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 pay cheques, 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 favour.

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 a dedicated career.

When the carpenter had finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed over the font-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said “my gift to you” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If only he had known he was building his own house, he would have don 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 that we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently.

You are a carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board or erect a wall. Your attitude and the choices you make today build the “house” you live in tomorrow. Build wisely!