Granted, wrongs directions and getting lost isn't really a great biggie anymore what with GPS and Navigators on our cell phones. However, these annoyances are still alive and well in my world when business names are wrong or the address fails to include the directional side of a street (you know - E. or W. 1st, for example) and you are sent off in the wrong direction. And don't even get me started about having a meet up time and the party on the other end of the meet-up isn't answering their phone and their mailbox is FULL. Yeah. Really. Just ask my friend, Marie.
Of course, there are also situations with lines. LIKE. School is getting out and you aren't there picking up a child and find yourself the second place of two lines of cars and you can't GET OUT. Now that is a situation. God give me patience. The whole week has been like that in fits and starts - situations demanding patience and flexibility.
This was the week when we would be working three 4-hour shifts at Mother's House but delays ensued as the snow and ice took over our lives. We still made progress and finished up all the work at home that would have otherwise been done at Mother's House and considering the coldness, no one would be outside with their children unless it was sheer necessity.
We have high hopes of going this week but with this new snow, I'm learning that parking lot ice may get layered on again. Or . . . the weather may warm up just enough to start the messy melting phase of snow and ice and promote the appearance of slush.
Of course, today being Saturday and all the work caught up, Don and I had plans to visit a couple of snow-covered cemeteries. Now, this may or may not happen. There was also visiting on the agenda. In small towns, I've discovered, visiting is still a fine art and we had arranged a visit with one of Don's childhood friends. Now it is a maybe or maybe not. We'll see.
So patience, and particularly situational, patience, has been my companion this week. The snow and ice will pass; the line of cars will move; the visiting and exploring will happen - just not in this moment. In this moment, I need to breathe and find the calm stillness. That is when God's whisper reaches me. He tells me to slow down; it's His time, not my time.
So - I leave you with these lines on patience and a reminder that if, you like me, need to slow down in anyway, just remember that patience does not come overnight to those who find it difficult to wait. Resting in God's will and perfect timing takes work but it's worth the effort. Peace descends and situations you think are designed to disrupt your flow are actually there to slow you down and take a moment.
Titus 2:2
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Colossians 1:11
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
3 comments:
Amen! I am, hopefully, learning that lesson, with God's help - one day at a time.
Patience is a strength for me but not for Chuck. I can appreciate your trial with patience, Annie. It's fascinating to see how other parts of the country live. Loved the Corinthians verse.
I'm always wondering if when I'm patient about one thing, something else is happening I should take care of, and which will matter more. Life is so complicated ..... :) Hugs.
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