Patience

Ephesians 4:2 “Always be humble and gentle, be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”,

There seems to be two kinds of people in the world: those that are never in a hurry and those that are always in a hurry.  The hurried person is already buckled into the car while their unhurried family member wanders around the house looking for their homework, shoes, lunch. Maybe even getting into the car without these items and having to run back in the house. What kind of person are you?

Jesus seemed to be the kind of person who was not in a hurry, he patiently chose to serve and show his love to those around him. I often wonder what it would be like to be on Jesus’s time. Preaching to the people, losing track of time, would I have the patience to wait for Him?

When I asked the kids on Sunday what patience is, most of them answered —“not getting mad when my sibling takes my stuff. Still being nice.”

—“Wanting to sit in the front but my brother gets there first. Being ok with it and sitting in the back.”

— “My mom when she asks me over and over again to do something and I don’t she has a lot of patience. But then she gets mad and her patience is gone.”

—“Waiting calmly”

—“”to not be so quick to act out of frustration.

Patience is a learned behavior it goes hand in hand with trusting Gods plan for our lives. As we get older we learn that God is patient with us time and time again. He knows that as we listen to him, he’ll be able to help us change and grow the fruit of patience.

My challenge for you and myself this week is to be conscious of our actions and when can we show more patience with those we interact with each day and especially those we love the most.

James 5:7 NIV

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Jordan Roth, children’s director