Patience

I have to admit (can you?) my patience seems to run thin way too often.  Waiting never seems easy, and many times painful.  Do we choose to pray for answers, or should we be praying for the patience to endure instead?  Waiting causes us to grow weary, instead of being appreciative of the wait.  I hate sitting at traffic lights (don’t we all) and my husband’s suggestion is to say a “Hail Mary” to calm my impatience.  Now when I pray for the traffic light to turn green, I laugh when I hear Jesus say, “I don’t control the traffic lights.”   Having patience doesn’t mean the situation will change.  It only helps us experience the present with calm and dignity.  We change inside when we become more patient with others and with ourselves.    I don’t think Jesus thinks our prayers are not good enough to be answered.  He just cares that they come from our heart, are part of His ultimate plan and we believe.  Many times you may think, “My faith isn’t strong enough.”  And many times when we lose patience, we give up, or stop asking/praying.   Our impatience has now caused us to disconnect from the main One that cares about us and our needs.  You may question (I have), why keep on praying when God already knows our needs?  I then get the sense that God wants us to also depend on those around us when our patience runs thin.  I know He has blessed me with an army of people who support me when my mind, body and soul are truly weary.  In those times, God reminds you and me to depend on others around us, knowing that they can help support us in our battles – and to also be aware to help others when they are struggling for answered prayers.  He didn’t intend for us to do this alone!  From experience, I know I can depend on those around me for support in my failing spirit and doubting faith.  They give me patience and strength to continue in my prayers even if His answer ends up looking different from mine.  Who do you have in your circle of faith that can pray with you?  Identify at least one person who you can reach out to and allow them to support you.  Together you can hold each other up in both the small and large battles, giving each other strength and patience to endure.  Thank you, Jesus, for surrounding each of us with family and friends that can walk along with us on our journey of faith. 

“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under Him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”  Exodus 17:12-13