Friday, March 8, 2013

While You Wait

I read today that patience means "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset."

I want to grow in patience, and today I realize just how impatient I actually am. I find some humor in my exaggerated response to how long things are taking. Little things like a web browser stalling, a laundry machine losing its rapid drying ability, a person delaying an email, or even a stream of water from the sink not getting warm as I wash my hands can make me so frustrated.

Yes, I was frustrated waiting for cold water to turn to warm so I could wash my hands. At least I can laugh about how much I value speed and efficiency. Yes, I watch the pot of water on the stove with my foot stomping and my arms crossed. Come on, pot. Boil!

I tell my friend that I'm simply not used to waiting. I go about my whole day valuing speed, efficiency, and immediacy.

Pray for me. I want to be the kind of woman who accepts delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. I want to accept whatever comes as God-ordained. I want joy and peace in place of frustration when I have to wait.

Besides, my wise friend down the road said that God is teaching her to "linger to listen" instead of moving through her day so quickly. Maybe when I'm standing around waiting, it's my cue to linger to listen.

It's my cue to let God develop me.

__________________________
Patience is so hard for me! One day, I'm going to write a blog about how patient I've become! 


2 comments:

Allison said...

I hope you know that even though someone like me doesn't comment too often, it doesn't mean we don't love reading your thoughts and wise words! So many times I cut and paste things you have written so I can print them out and try to remember the words or the way they made me feel. More often than not, folks don't comment because there isn't anything to add to the clever and insightful things you write! Thank you!!

LivewithFlair said...

Thank you, Allison!