Patience

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 

It’s not Thanksgiving yet, and our Christmas tree is assembled and lit in our living room, thanks to our granddaughter Dylan. She and I share a love of Christmas and enjoy the season as long as we can. Even as a child, I couldn’t wait for the tree to be purchased and all the ornaments to be added.

Since I don’t host Thanksgiving, I feel perfectly fine setting up Christmas. We used to wait until the day after turkey day, but not anymore. Maybe because I’m older and understand how swiftly time darts by, or I simply don’t have the patience to wait. Either way, I’m anxious for the joyous holiday.

Whether I’m waiting to celebrate Christmas, standing in line at the store, checking the porch for my Amazon delivery, or driving in traffic, I find patience to be one of the most trying virtues listed in the Bible. As I’ve aged, my patience has gotten better, most of the time. It’s a work in progress all of the time.

Paul calls up a large order to his friends in Thessalonica to “be patient with everyone.” When I think about all the everyones I know, I’m not sure how to accomplish that except through prayer and reminding myself how patient God must be with me. He sees me, hears me, knows me, and still loves me. God’s patience with me astounds me. I’m a flawed human who has made many mistakes, yet He (the God of all creation) loves me and waits for me to pay attention to His call. He waits for me to be obedient. He waits for me to ask Him for guidance. God is the ultimate patient one.

Maybe through the holidays we can give the gift of patience to one another. Will you join me?

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.