Jay Payleitner, Men’s Author  

“When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2-4 NLT

Dad, we’ve all been there. You’re driving with a car full of kids and you are late. Of course, just as you approach the most notorious railroad crossing, the lights suddenly flash and the gates begin to swing down. Your adrenaline pumps and for a fleeting moment you consider flooring the gas pedal and squeezing under the descending black and white striped barrier. Thankfully, good sense prevails and, instead, you jerk to a sudden stop just as the world’s longest train begins to slowly chug by.

While you’re muttering under your breath, what is that eight year old in the back seat doing? He is gleefully counting the cars! Even worse, when the number reaches 70 or so, he begins to hope for a hundred! 

Here’s an idea, Dad. Model patience. You know…one of the fruits of the Spirit. Especially in those critical years when our kids are watching our every move, we need to look at any trouble or inconvenience as a way to demonstrate that we trust God. Patience is, indeed, a virtue.

Even better than modeling patience is “looking for the good.” That is, modeling to show your son or daughter how minor irritations can be a gift that allows our trust and endurance to grow. It’s all good, because God’s in control of everything. Another way to say that might be “look for the silver lining.” In other words, use your fathering wisdom to turn a negative into a positive. You can do that, right?.

Or you could simply join them in their joy as they count the cars.