Life Is Do-it-yourself Project
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer 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 by3.
The employer was sorry to see his good worker go, in instead some thankful words express his appreciation, he asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor before his leave. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was obviously 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 the house and the employer came to inspect the house and handed a key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “it’s my gift to you.”
What a shock! What a shame! If he had known he was building his own house, he would have done it all for his best. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
The story reflected some of 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 with the 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 in best way.
Think about 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. The plaque on the wall says, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.” Who could say it more clearly? Your life for tomorrow will be the result from your attitudes and the choices you make today.