Tuesday Breakfast Notes #27

Building or Wrecking

For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.

Hebrews 3:4

I first came across this poem as a senior in high school, and it continues to come to mind every so often. I know my mom will remember it! It's not much writing from me this week, but the words felt like what I was supposed to share with you. Have you seen this poem before?

"A Builder or a Wrecker"

by Charles Franklin Benvegarf

As I watched them tear a building down

A gang of men in a busy town

With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell

They swung a beam and the side wall fell

I asked the foreman, "Are these men skilled,

And the men you'd hire if you wanted to build?"

He gave a laugh and said, "No, indeed,

Just common labor is all I need."

"I can easily wreck in a day or two,

What builders have taken years to do."

And I thought to myself, as I went my way

Which of these roles have I tried to play'

Am I a builder who works with care,

Measuring life by rule and square?

Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan

Patiently doing the best I can'

Or am I wrecker who walks to town

Content with the labor of tearing down?

"O Lord let my life and my labors be

That which will build for eternity!"

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