Townsend, the developer of the laser, was once asked if he didn't have a tremendous sense of achievement in all he had accomplished with his invention, such as methods for precision measurements, laser disc, and weapons technology.

He remarked, "Not really." He said that he could easily identify with the beaver and relayed the following story:

A beaver and a chipmunk happened upon the Hoover Dam while out strolling one day. They were caught off-guard, completely overwhelmed with amazement and awe at the size and magnificence of this structure.

Once the beaver recovered, he remarked, "Well, actually, I didn't build it myself, but it's based upon an idea of mine."

Like much of scientific advancement, I see spiritual growth as a building process. I took the spiritual training my parents gave me and have built upon it, and I expect my children to take the training that I give them and build upon that. I fully expect them to accomplish some great things in their lives, things that I may not have built myself, but which are based on spiritual principles which I have shared with them.

Paul was referring to this process when he said of Timothy,