The regretful carpenter
By FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD
May 23, 2010, 11:45am
An elderly carpenter told his employer-contractor of his plan to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and kids. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could 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 in time it was easy 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 the employer came to inspect the house. To the carpenter’s astonishment, he handed the front-door key to the him.
“This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.”
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own, 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 that we have built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back.
* * *
The above story written by an anonymous author has a timely lesson for our newly-elected leaders as well as for each of us. For politicians, the house may symbolize your positions.
As you begin a new term, you have to build your houses, always remembering the welfare of your constituents and not your own interest.
May you not regret at the end of your term that you did not build your house wisely.
* * *
For everyone, the house may symbolize the life God has given us. Are you taking care of it as you should? How you build your marriage, family, and life will spell your future – and yes, your eternal life. So, build your house wisely.
A note from Paul Abug
link : http://www.facebook.com/j3r3miah2001#!/note.php?note_id=108078914477
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