A Random Thought that arrived recently as a story, this time about an auto mechanic and his newborn son. A joyful day it was when his boy emerged into the World. The mechanic thought about all the wonderful things he would teach his son and was looking forward to that time.

This mechanic took great care in teaching his son all about the World including the operation and maintenance of automobiles. He was the best mechanic within 300 miles and everyone knew he could fix pretty much everything brought his way.

Soon his son celebrated his fourth birthday and his Father showed him how to fill the windshield washer fluid bottle under the hood. Then his fifth birthday arrived and his Father showed him how a jack worked so when the car had a tire blowout his son would have the proper information how to operate the jack safely. When he turned six his Father showed him how to do an oil and filter change along with how to lubricate all the areas requiring periodic attention. When the boy was seven he was shown how to diagnose and replace front and rear brakes to keep the car stopping correctly. At eight it was time to know about replacing a faulty coolant pump to keep the car running at the proper temperature. As the boy grew toward his eighteenth year it was evident this young man would have the knowledge required to take a car apart and put it back together correctly with ease, just like his Father.

Finally after what seemed a lifetime the boy reached the age of eighteen and was ready to venture out on his own armed with knowledge to support him going forward. That’s when his Father called him to the office for a little talk.

“Son”, he said, “the time has come when I must tell you the rules of the World.” The son sat quietly listening to his Father with great attention. “You see, I have been able to observe your performance over the course of the last eighteen years and I am very proud of your abilities. You have shown proficiency in all aspects of auto mechanics and you’re qualified and ready to go out on your own. But we have a problem.” The son slid forward in his chair expecting grave news was about to be told.

“You see, I know you are my son, being a part of me in a miraculous way and being like me you have all the abilities and gifts as I, your Father, have. But I must demand one thing.” His son waited as his Father took a breath, pausing to consider his words. “You must do no auto mechanics of any kind. Even though you know all there is to repair and maintain automobiles you just aren’t good enough and you never will be. Any auto mechanic work you take on has to go through me. You are just a vessel to funnel the work to me and only me. Do you understand?” The son had a puzzled look on his face indicating he had no idea why his Father would give him everything he needed then forbid him from using that knowledge and information. It just didn’t make sense.

“Father”, the son began, “I don’t understand. I am just like you and have proven my abilities to you many times over many years. May I ask why you feel you must forbid me from practicing what I know and sharing my abilities as you do?” The Father smiled.

“Because that is just how it’s done.”