Daily Encouragement For March 01:

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. 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. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “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 house, he would have done it all so differently.

We build our lives, one day at a day at a time, often putting less than our best into it. Then suddenly we are shocked to realize we have to live in the house we have built.

If we could have a do over, we'd do things much differently, we cannot go back, but we can do something about today. You are the carpenter of your life, God is the Masterbuilder, He gives you the skills and talents to help you build something great.

Life is a do-it-yourself project, your attitude and the choices you make today, build the house you live in tomorrow. When you put your heart and soul into your work and build your house upon the foundation of Christ you can rebuild your house into something more beautiful than you ever imagined and also receive God's favor.

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” -1 Corinthians 3:10-15.