by Dona Hake
How do you define patience? If you were to ask my oldest Granddaughter she would tell you that patience is waiting with a happy heart. I have been sharing this definition for about two years with them. Every so often one of the Granddaughters will bring up what patience means and it so precious.
I have shared this with you before but I love this little story because it ministers to my heart. One day in particular we were hitting a lot of traffic and it seemed like forever till we were reaching the donut shop for their donuts, and oh my….do they ever look forward to their donuts! I began to say, “Remember! we need to be patient!…and what does patience mean?” My Granddaughter said, “I know, I know Grandma, it’s waiting with a happy heart but sometimes I don’t do patience !” I have to be honest with you that when she said that I almost cracked up laughing. I love how children are just so bluntly honest at times. I just had to chuckle and I replied, “You know what sweetie? Some days I don’t do patience either.”
Let’s all be honest with ourselves…we all have those days that we do not do patience and it ends up causing us to be annoyed, upset, etc… In the book of James he wrote and exhorted us in the importance of allowing patience to have it’s perfect work. I used to wonder how James could write and tell us to “Count it all joy when you fall into various tests and trials…”
James 1:2-4 The Voice
“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. “
This scripture reminds me to thank God that our faith can blossom even under the pressures that may seem unpleasant. He will be faithful to teach us true patience that we can cross the finish line! So today I encourage you to be patient in all things or may I say “Wait with a happy heart!”
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