Today's post is about patience, anxiety, and the waiting. First and foremost, happy Ground-Hog's day, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early Spring :)
Maybe it's a stretch but I find it a bit ironic that today is Ground-Hog Day, anticipation fills the air as Phil usually predicts many more weeks of Winter . Today I woke up and realized that I had to make payments on my credit cards, I felt irritated, impatient and anxious, knowing that I would have to use rent money to make my payments. I felt impatient at the fact that both my husband and I don't have jobs yet, I felt angry because I felt that there was no effort being put into finding jobs. Of course being the great husband he is, he tried making me feel better, making me laugh and made me some coffee. At first it irritated me that he was taking the situation lightly, concurrently trying to keep it together, trying to keep from getting angry or from it ruining my day. I took a few deep breaths, and did some reading. I referred back to passages I have read that remind me of the importance of patience.
On several occasions have I come across this idea of a fast everything nation. Our society demands access to information at crazy speeds, today dial up service is snail speed, today there is drive through for pharmacies, liquor stores and of course fast food. Our philosophy is that of a fast food nation. We expect and demand everything at our fingertips. But if we take a moment to reflect that centuries ago it would take days to transfer information, news, and goods, but today, I can let my grandpa in Mexico know that I am getting married, he can purchase tickets at a click of a mouse and be there with me that same day if he wanted. In a frustrated world, rather than responding with a fast food attitude why not take a breath,; try to understand first rather than be understood.
One of my favorite verses from the bible is “Be still for the Lord and wait patiently for him.” - P.S. 37:7
Don't forget ask, and you shall receive, so, if we pray for patience, surely God will provide you with opportunities in which you will be able to exercise it. We must remember that God's purpose is greater than our pain and has a greater purpose than our problems.
This weekend I had an opportunity to talk to and older couple who was celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. In our conversation I was presented with a simple but befitting truth; “take one day at a time.” This advice couldn't be more bona fide.
“Don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have it's own worries.”- Matthew 6:34
God liberated his children from slavery and created a path through the sea. He gave them a cloud to follow in the day and a fire to see at night. And he gave them food...
Each morning the manna came each evening the quail appeared. “Trust me. Trust me and I will give you what you need.” The people were told to take just enough for one day. Their needs would be met, one day at a time. Lucado p. 34
I would like to challenge you to reflect on an experience that has tested your patience, what made this situation difficult? Secondly list several ways in your everyday life in which you can exercise your patience, eg. waiting in line for groceries, spending time with your kids, etc.
Sources: Everyday Blessings by Max Lucado
Checklist for Life, the ultimate handbook – Thomas Nelson Publishers
