I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “waiting patiently”. It seems like I’ve spent a lot of time this month waiting… I could make a list of all the things I’ve been waiting for, but the point isn’t who I’ve been waiting on or what I’ve been waiting for, but rather how I’ve been waiting. I’m not the most patient person in the world, but I need to learn to be patient. Consider the following verses (NASB):
Ephesians 4:1-3 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Colossians 3:12, 13 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
2 Timothy 4:1, 2 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
Since I have been exercising more patience than would typically characterize me, Galatians 5:22, 23 is an encouraging sign that God is at work developing the fruit of the Spirit in me: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Here’s a good prayer for you to pray for me from Colossians 1:9-12 – For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
I’ll send some more prayer requests and photos soon.
Grateful for God’s patience with me!
Brenda
