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 and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see one of his best workers go as he always did high-quality work and didn't cut corners, even in areas that did not show.  He asked if he could build him just one more house as a personal favor before he retired. The carpenter said he would, and began the project. 

But as many phases of the project drew on, he became more and more anxious to retire and his heart was not in his work. He wanted to get it finished quickly so he resorted to shoddy workmanship, compromised quality for time where ever he could and used inferior materials. He told himself that since this was the last job he would do, it didn't matter.

When the carpenter finally finished his work, he informed the employer so that he could come to inspect the house. To the carpenter's surprise, the contractor handed him the front-door key. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you for being a dedicated and quality craftsman." The carpenter was shocked!  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," someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow. Build wisely! 

Author Unknown