Would you say that you are a pretty patient person? Would you say that you are able to keep your cool throughout trying times?
I just got home from a Life Group, gave my son a bath, and am now sitting up with him as he does his homework. As I stood over him, I thought to myself, “this is going to take all night and I still haven’t even started my own nightly routine!” I had to snap out of it and realize that not only am I not being patient, but I’m being selfish! I’m being impatient by wanting my son to hurry up so we can get this show on the road! I am selfishly disregarding the fact that his learning is more important than my shower and sleepytime tea.
We tend to treat situations in life the same way. We start to put our entire lives on a time schedule and rush through every moment if things tend to hinder our deadlines.
I finally decided to sit down with my son and be patient. In doing so, I was able to engage with him, recognize how well he was doing, give him praise and encouragement, and it also changed my whole demeanor of the night. The lesson we can learn from this is that not only is patience beneficial for us, it’s also beneficial for those around us. It engages us, builds an inner peace within us (that we wouldn’t have otherwise had if we were rushing), and helps us to better commune with others. If we make the choice to rush through life, we forfeit the chance to see the beauty in the moment. The best times we have ever had, are the times where we’ve decided to slow down and engage.
Patience is very necessary in this journey you’ve decided to take with me. It will ultimately determine if you sink or swim. Will you give up and say you don’t have what it takes? Or will you slow down, give yourself grace and go the mile? The choice is yours my friend. Choose wisely.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”