An elderly carpenter decided to retire. He told his long-time employer about his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his family.  He would miss the paycheck, but he really wanted to retire.  They could get by if they moved into a small rental house.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he would build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship, not caring to take the time to do a good job.

When the house was finished and the employer came to inspect the house, he handed the key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."

What a shock!  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 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 our 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 that, we would have done it differently.

Think of 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 in it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity, to the glory of God.

Adapted from an anonymous Internet message.