How Are You Building Your Life
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. He knew they would be able to 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 it was evident that his heart was not in his work. He didn't put all his effort into doing a good job. It was a sad way for him to end his career in this manner.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house. It's my gift to you for all your years of hard work and dedication to the company."
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have put all his heart into it and made it a great sturdy home. Now he had to live in a house that was not built very well.
MORAL: We should not build our lives in a distracted way, reaching rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best.
INSIGHT: Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your life as the 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 more day, 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 today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result ot your attitudes and the choices you make today.
Colossians 3:23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (NLT)