Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Patience, Some are gifted with it, Some need to be!

 Those who lack patience lack love . 

Yes, I know that statement sounds harsh. But does it help that the one typing these words is speaking to herself as well?

 

Think about a time in your life when you felt truly loved. Yes right now go a head.

 

Was it when someone you were talking to seemed to just be tolerating your rambling, while hoping you would soon shut up, so they could be on their way?  We have all had those conversations with people. We have something on our heart, that really needs to be let out and the one in front of us, we think cares about us, proves other wise by shutting down, dazing off, as if your words are a pathetic waist of their time. Sure, we have been the one speaking, but are we truthful enough to admit we have been the impatient one; the one with our own agendas that are more important than our friend or loved one who needs us in the moment?

 

The times I feel most loved are when I am listened to intently, and I know that the one I am speaking to takes interest in not just the words I say but in me as a person. When someone is patient with me and forgiving I feel loved. I feel loved when someone waits for me with out complaining, but rather lovingly, as if I was worth the wait.  Love truly is patient and kind. I feel loved when someone gives me the time of day I need to feel special. 


God gives us this freely! We are His special children, each and everyone of us, and He treats us as such. Patience is His beautiful gift. He loves us this way everyday. His love is the most patient of all. Through his grace and forgiveness He teaches us patience. Through His way of always being there to listen to our rambling on prayers, He teaches us to be patient with others, who need what we have just received, a patient listening ear.
 

 

Some of us have the gift of patience planted deep with in our heart. Just as some can pick up an instrument and just begin to play it, others can be patient in most circumstances and with all kinds of people. Others, such as myself, have to constantly pray for God to grow this gift in them. With out this gift those around me will not know the depth of my love for them.  With out patience my love for others can not grow to the depth that God and I desire my relationships to grow. Love is a beautiful thing to be treasured, grown, and sought.  Patience is the water that grows love up in us.

 

I am most impatient with the ones I love the most, What? So the ones I love the most are the ones lacking in the knowledge of how deeply I love them? 

 

I am impatient with my family. I am praying for God to give me the patience to listen to my children when they ramble on just needing someone to listen to them, so they can feel special. They are special, and everyone needs to feel adored sometimes.  I am learning to stop and listen to my husbands day and take an interest in the distresses and the joys of his day, because he is special to me and I want him to know it. I can show him love by patiently putting his needs in the moment before my to do lists, that can truly wait. I can show my children I love them, by not getting upset when they do not move at the same pace as me, but instead choose to slow my pace and walk with them at my side and encourage them lovingly, instead of gripe at them for their lack of speed.  

 

A pastor once told me "Never pray for patience cause God will send you trials." He suggested the only way to learn patience is to learn it the hard way. I disagree. Patience is something God is teaching us everyday. We just need to pray that we are more in tune to the lessons God is teaching us already. God is Love! He is the greatest patient teacher of all.

 

So I encourage you, if you want to know how to love others more deeply and truly in a way that those you love can know how much you love them, pray for God to grow your patience. Pray and don't stop praying and putting into practice the lessons God teaches you.  Patience is a gift, whether we have it or not, depends on whether we know it is important enough a thing to be asking for it. As a child begs her parents for that longed for toy, I beg my daddy Jesus to fill me with the gift of Patience:) So that I can give the greatest gift He has already given me. True, absolute, unconditional Love!

 

Ephesians 4

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace

 

Thessalonians 5:14 "Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone."

2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.


2 Timothy 2:24
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.


2 Peter 1:5-7 (New Living Translation)

 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to Gods promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind.