We are a generation of instant gratification. I work with children, and I see this idea of instant gratification, or lack there of, all too often. Yet, I still have to remind myself at times... I’m just like them. Am I pouting, yelling, screaming, kicking, or cursing on the outside? No, not typically. (Unless I’m in my car, which I’ll return to later.) But on the inside, oh buddy. I feel like the little red, anger guy from the new movie, Inside Out. Big, bulging eyes, clenched fists, hair on fire. I just can’t stand it sometimes! However, “lucky” (lol) for me, God has knocked me upside the head a couple of times and spelled it out for me by placing a few, very caring friends in my life to verbally say so. About two months ago, my friend Ted was talking to me about the concept of patience. Was I ready for that information at the time? No, probably not. Yet, I’m super grateful it happened. A seed was planted. It was just going to take a little bit of time before it started growing. He talked to me about the idea of patience even in the small things in life. For example, driving. I don’t know about some of you, but I have always tended to have a lot of road rage. I thought it was a good outlet for me because I could get out my anger about other things by yelling and screaming at people that really weren’t going to hear me. He gave me a little fact (I can’t recall where from but he’s a rather intelligent fellow so I trust him) that yelling and screaming in the car, or really any place, is only going to give you more anxiety and stress rather than releasing it. I mostly agree with it. Sometimes if I give a good yell in my car, pillow, or empty room, I will feel a better. I see his point though. Is yelling or flipping them off going to get anyone anywhere faster? No. It is really not. So, why get mad? You are just going to end up at your destination at the same time (unless you are really speeding, which I’m not saying I do or do not condone). Why not end up at your destination in a happier manner. Great seed planted. Did I really try to be more patience even with the little things? No, no I did not. God wasn't (and still isn't) ready to give up on me just yet. A few months later God gave me another opportunity (and I feel like God has to have a sense of humor because it all just played out and happened all too perfectly). One night I had mentioned to somebody I did indeed need to work on my patience. Bam! Next day, God said, “Well, he’s your opportunity, Court!” It took a couple days to figure out it was an opportunity not unjust event. A week or so later on Sunday evening, I was just about ready to burrow in for the night and avoid just about everyone and everything, when I had an old college friend call. He, Eric, said, “Hey, I’ve been in Des Moines staying with my aunt, so I could go to this wedding last night. Tonight, my aunt and I are going to a restaurant to watch a basketball game. Want to join?” As much as I didn’t want to, I put on my best cheerful voice, which I don’t think was too convincing, and said I’d meet them. It was fun, the dose of laughter and cheer I needed. As the aunt stepped anyway for a few minutes, we had the chance to talk about how things had been going on. He shared he had felt called to talk with someone while he was down in the Des Moines area. Although he had enjoyed the wedding, he knew he hadn’t talked to that person yet. He looked me squarely in the eyes, "I think the person I was called to talk to was you." I know... wow. That it home. Hard. We talked a little more. One word stuck out in my mind above the rest. Patience. He said it just twice, and kind of patted the table as he said it, but patience. Bam, God spoke, again. Being as stubborn, and sometimes childish, as I can be though, I wasn’t ready to be patient. A little over a week passed before I was even ready to begin to accept my lesson. God may be telling me specifically to have patience in certain areas or he may mean all areas of my life. He just have patience, so I figure it is wise to apply in all aspects of my life as best I can. “Walk with patience in all aspects of life”. Baby steps. That’s all it takes, and that’s all I’m doing. Applying it at each opportunity no matter how big or small. Sure, it isn’t without a few trips, falls, and some yelling. I pray God grant me patience and grace to overcome all trips and falls as well as my triumphs. I pray the same for each of you. May you know the patience of our Lord, so you may walk with and share that patience.
Serenity Prayer:
- God, grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change, the COURAGE to change the things I can, and the WISDOM to know the difference.
- James 1:2-8 New International Version (NIV)
- Trials and Temptations
- 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
- Colossians 3:12New International Version (NIV)
- 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
- 1 Timothy 1:15-17 New International Version (NIV)
- 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
