“Love is patient.” The first in the long list of Paul’s definition of love. I used to think this aspect of love was pretty easy. I could be patient with my brother, with my parents, with my friends. I thought I was pretty good at this patient thing.
Then I got married. All those cute little quirks that my husband had before we were married suddenly became irritating habits after the honeymoon. Being together all the time becomes annoying a lot quicker than I expected. I had a choice. I could calmly and patiently explain the things that were bothering me or I could get snappy and let him know just how much I hated that little clicking sound he made with his nails when he was thinking. And since I was the perfect wife, I of course told him calmly and patiently what was bothering me, why it bothered me, and how I would like to handle the issue. Haha! Just kidding. I yelled.
Now, almost 5 years later, I am much better at patience and communication. Usually. I once thought patience was an easy thing but today it is something that I have to a be vigilant about. I have to choose daily, sometimes hourly, to be patient, to be calm in my responses, to be soft in my reactions. It’s not easy but it is worth the effort.
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Patience is better than pride. It seems like a duh statement but honestly, how often do you get angry because of a perceived wrong? How often does your pride rise up and cast a shadow on your patience? How often are you provoked in your spirit? Personally, it happens far too often. Patience is not something that comes naturally. Pride comes naturally. Anger comes naturally. Patience? Not so much.
Do you know that God is patient?
2 Peter 3:4-9
4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Mom's Going to Madagascar 