11 replies
Building Your House
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire.
He told his employer of his plans to leave the house building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife.
He would of course miss the paycheck each week - but he wanted to retire. They could get by.
His employer 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 over time it was clear 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 - his employer came to inspect the house.
Then he handed the front door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... 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.


The moral being....
...so it is with us. We build our lives - one 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 would do it much differently.
But - you cannot go back.
You are the carpenter - and every day you hammer a nail - place a board - or erect a wall.
Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."
Your attitude - and the choices you make today - will build the 'house' you will live in tomorrow. Therefore - build wisely!
Kindest Regards,
#true
  • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
    Did someone call my name here?
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Actually, I wish I could remember cha[pter and verse, but a story JUST like that is in the Bible! I don't think the guy was retiring, but the king asked a top builder to build a place and hold nothing back. The guy built it poorly, and the king gave it to him.
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    • Profile picture of the author mattlaclear
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      Actually, I wish I could remember cha[pter and verse, but a story JUST like that is in the Bible! I don't think the guy was retiring, but the king asked a top builder to build a place and hold nothing back. The guy built it poorly, and the king gave it to him.
      There is a reason you cannot remember the chapter and verse. I do not recall ever studying a story like that in the Bible. Not even in the original Hebrew or Greek. It's a nice story though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alfredo Carrion
    The moral of the story is to put your best work into everything that you do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amrutg
    Good story. It means what we put in, comes back to us as our own. So it is better to put in your heart.
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    • Profile picture of the author playtone
      Awesome story, will tell co workers tomorrow
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  • Profile picture of the author brendan9971
    This is a great reminder. Thanks for posting it. I've been getting a bit frustrated with a couple of clients lately (every day they want more work for less money!) and this really helped give me some perspective.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikecsy
    Great Post! Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author GlobalMedia
    Nice story.
    There is no shortcut to success and for success hard work is very essential. So go for it...
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  • Profile picture of the author Promet Analyst
    Originally Posted by Jan Mostert View Post

    "Life is a do-it-yourself project."
    Your attitude - and the choices you make today - will build the 'house' you will live in tomorrow. Therefore - build wisely!
    I think this would make a very effective wake-up call.

    But the employer could have just said from the start that the house was for the carpenter......sometimes I don't like surprises...anyways he is a carpenter, a very skilled one, so he could just fix the house and make it better. :p
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