The Art Of Patience

First off - I am not a patient person... I am always in a hurry - I want everything now - I won't stand in long lines (unless I have too) - I won't wait at a restaurant more than 15 minutes (no food is worth it to me) I like many others want instant gratification... In today's world that's what it is all about, isn't it. I want it now... I get it now.... and there you go....

Years ago my mom gave me a coffee cup that said - "Lord, grant me patience and grant it right now!" Even then at the ripe young age of 21 - I lacked patience... It is not a secret that I lack the patience gene... Get me behind of the wheel of a car and you'll see me in action... I'm not a dangerous driver... but when someone who drives extremely slow happens to pop in my lane... The passengers in my car will often hear me grumble... call the driver a "Bubba" or talk about the nuisances of bad drivers on the road -

I once heard someone say "Don't pray to God for patience because He will give you something to gain patience with" I have learned that God is a patient teacher... a patient Father and yes I do believe that He gives us opportunities to learn... learn to love... learn to empathize, and learn to be patient... I think when I became a parent was my first lesson in patience.... As the years go by I find myself growing in patience... growing in tolerance... growing in understanding. I think the closer you get to Him and the deeper your relationship becomes with Him the better the opportunity to gain the ability to be a more patient person.. a more spiritual person.. a more Christ driven person..

I can give you a load of baloney and tell you that I have gained all the patience I need but that would not be truthful.. I am a work in progress. I know I have become more patient with the people in my life.... But behind the wheel... well that is a different kind of patience....

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."
-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7