The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV

"Wait a minute Daddy. Let me put on my glasses and hat."

"Okay, there you go. I just don't have patience for this kind of thing son."

"Here's a nail Daddy."

"Thank you.. I would be glad to do most anything with you son, but this is just not something I am good at. Hand me that hammer."

"Daddy, let's paint it black."

"Are you sure you want to paint it black? I was supposed to be at a meeting tonight. I hope I'm not missing too much."

"Daddy, I want to make it number 531."

"Well, we need to hurry whatever we do. This is taking all night."

It is soap box derby time at church. This is our first year to build the big cruiser. I must be honest with you. I have little patience for such as this. Oh, I think I'm a pretty good father; PTO president, nightly help with homework, helping coach the ball teams, but when it comes to this, I am just not cut out for it.

And, I am so busy! Do I really have time for a project so time consuming? I committed to it, but half way through I knew I had been had. Why do they have to have such a silly race after all.

"Daddy, this is the most fun we have ever had together."

I looked down at the tender face of my six year old son. He had on a hat, just like me. He had on goggles, just like me. He had a rag hanging out of his pocket...you guessed it.....just like me. This kid was thrilled to be spending this much time with his father.

Suddenly I realized why they have that silly race. It took a childish pastime to teach me patience. This menial labor forced me into a long period of togetherness...with mistakes and all.

It really is an ugly car...perhaps the ugliest and slowest out there, but it is a beautiful kid. And I'm glad he's mine!

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