CHRISTIAN SENSE
BY TOM SMIKOSKI
A publication devoted to making sense out of the twenty-first century.
THE CARPENTER
By: AUTHOR UNKNOWN (if anyone knows the source please let us know.)
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 a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished
his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He
handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is
your house," he said, "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'd do it much differently. But we cannot go
back. You are the carpenter. Each day, you hammer a
nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Life is a
do-it-yourself project. Your attitudes and the choices
you make today, build the "house" you live in
tomorrow.
Build wisely! Remember...
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody is watching.
Pass this on to someone you like.
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