This morning I made the horrible mistake of putting my two year-old's shoes on ten minutes before it was time to be loaded up into the van. Of course in her rational head if Mama puts shoes on her it must mean that it is time to go. So, I had to listen to ten minutes of a toddler's tantrum while I sadly thought it would be so nice if I could just explain to her that it isn't smart to wait 10 minutes sitting in your car seat and that this would be an ideal time to practice being patient. Ha!
But, as I thought about all the life lessons I wanted to teach and tell my precious little girl, I grimaced and suddenly identified with her frustration. After all, even today, right now, I'm impatient. I want to have my babies (I'm huge, hot, and uncomfortable as I get increasingly enormous). I want my husband home with me (I really really miss him). I want to have my life back on my own terms. And I want it all NOW.
Yes, sometimes I do act just as unreasonable as my two year-old.
I'm ashamed when I look back and realize how impatient and silly I have been during certain seasons of my life. Like when I wanted to graduate from high school as soon as possible. Like when it felt like I would never get married or when I just knew it was grossly unfair that I didn't have children yet. And then, when I do get pregnant I spend the last two months wishing I could get that baby out of me and then wishing I could put her back in when I found out how nerve wracking a newborn can be. I suppose I must join the rest of the human race who have always wanted it all and wanted it NOW.
Just making a guess, but I bet God watches a lot of this nervous pacing and angry foot-stomping, shakes His head, and wishes we would listen when He tries to assure us that there is a better timing for what happens in our life, that it will all happen in His great timing, and this would be a really wonderful time to develop some patience.
Yes, He is right.
When will I learn this great lesson? When will it be instilled in my heart so that I might carry around His peace no matter what season my life is in?
In Time. In time.
Because it takes time to truly learn a lesson like this and completely hone such a precious skill. And each time we come across a situation in which we must be made to wait, we will be given the opportunity to grow into that peace.
Ok, since my impatience will not change how fast I get the things I want, I will practice patience. I will practice trust in God to guide my paths. I will practice faith in His promise of perfect timing.
But, as I thought about all the life lessons I wanted to teach and tell my precious little girl, I grimaced and suddenly identified with her frustration. After all, even today, right now, I'm impatient. I want to have my babies (I'm huge, hot, and uncomfortable as I get increasingly enormous). I want my husband home with me (I really really miss him). I want to have my life back on my own terms. And I want it all NOW.
Yes, sometimes I do act just as unreasonable as my two year-old.
I'm ashamed when I look back and realize how impatient and silly I have been during certain seasons of my life. Like when I wanted to graduate from high school as soon as possible. Like when it felt like I would never get married or when I just knew it was grossly unfair that I didn't have children yet. And then, when I do get pregnant I spend the last two months wishing I could get that baby out of me and then wishing I could put her back in when I found out how nerve wracking a newborn can be. I suppose I must join the rest of the human race who have always wanted it all and wanted it NOW.
Just making a guess, but I bet God watches a lot of this nervous pacing and angry foot-stomping, shakes His head, and wishes we would listen when He tries to assure us that there is a better timing for what happens in our life, that it will all happen in His great timing, and this would be a really wonderful time to develop some patience.
Yes, He is right.
When will I learn this great lesson? When will it be instilled in my heart so that I might carry around His peace no matter what season my life is in?
In Time. In time.
Because it takes time to truly learn a lesson like this and completely hone such a precious skill. And each time we come across a situation in which we must be made to wait, we will be given the opportunity to grow into that peace.
Ok, since my impatience will not change how fast I get the things I want, I will practice patience. I will practice trust in God to guide my paths. I will practice faith in His promise of perfect timing.
"through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Romans 5:2-4
Photo by Mindaugas Danys via Flickr
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