Leo Tolstoy says: “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t seem to have enough of either one! I want to be patient, but I grow impatient in waiting to become patient. And I know that we all have the same amount of time, but I never ever seem to have enough of it.
Patience is taking whatever life throws your way and not allowing it to wreck you. Patience is bearing any burden, overcoming any trial, withstanding any pressure and standing steadfast despite any opposition! I think the thing that makes patience so hard, is that just when we deal with one tough thing and make it through – another is on the way. Patience is realizing that no matter how many curve balls life throws your way – each one is an another opportunity for you to get on base and possibly even hit a home run!
Time is a measurement of what you have right now at this moment in front of you. Yesterday is gone and there is nothing that you can do with it, but learn from it. Tomorrow is not here and there is no guarantee that it will be! What you have is right now, this moment in time, don’t waste it by being stuck in yesterday or worried about tomorrow. Enjoy the gift of right now that God has given to you!
Interesting isn’t it! When I forget about the mistakes of yesterday and stop worrying about tomorrow and take the time to enjoy what God has placed right here in front of us – time is not big deal and we are patient without even thinking about it!
Michael Joe Harvell 
Some time ago I quit praying for patience because it seemed that the Lord was answering my prayers by the deluge. That is, He was providing opportunity after opportunity for me to learn patience well. Almost every time I failed to endure. Then, I began to pray not for patience but instead for an understanding heart in every situation with which I am faced. The strangest thing has happened! I find that with understanding comes patience. God is amazing.
Patience….what seems like an easy thing. I try to take that deep breath before responding to the kids when they misbehave, but it doesn’t always happen. It’s something my family works on every day.
I do want to share with you that Rebecca was writing on her hand the other morning. I chose not to snap and instead ask what she was writing. How could I get upset when she was writing G3 on it? 🙂 That was one sermon that really struck a chord with her. The day after, something that she considered bad happened at school. 30 mins after school, we found out she made it into a play she had auditioned for. I just looked at her after and said G3. Since then, it has stuck.
Thaks for all you do for Northwood and our family.
Angela
Ok, Ok, I get it. We all need more patience. And when you are raising strong indepedent teenagers, you need all you can get. God shows us our paths and gives us the words. If we chose not to walk or talk with what God gives us, them be prepared for the stones in the road. I’ve learned the hard way!!!! Now, for something else!!!!!! How about that MOVIE!! Wasn’t it great. Barry and I loved it. I ordered the book online and was sent a message saying it would be backordered until Oct.14th(our anniversary). Got it yesterday and we are on Day 2. Loving the book!!! Not to say we don’t have a good marriage, but like M.J. always says, it can always be better! I really enjoyed getting together with my church family outside of church!! It was a hoot!! We can’t wait to do it again..there’s that patience thing again. have a blessed day!! love and prayers, jerilynn
It’s funny how patience can actually come & go. I consider myself an overly patient person. But only with certain things. So does that mean I’m not patient? It’s funny when I rededicated my life and my service to the church 6 years ago, I met a family with a overly hyper young girl who to me was wonderful. At some points adults thought she was crazy at times and even then she stated that I had the patience to be her friend. I let her follow me all over and carry her on my shoulders. But, when it comes to video games, traffic, my family(at times), and most of all my spiritual growth I lose all traces of patience. When I mean my spiritual growth I mean my own sluggish ways into which I hold myself back. I get so impatient on where I’m going or not going that I lose sight on what God has planned for me. God shows me over and over that I need to slow down & trust in Him NOT me. P.S. The little girl was Maggie Barger. : )