It Wears Thin...

It wears thin, after awhile; like a garment that is getting old- I speak of patience.  This fourth fruit of the Spirit, mentioned in Galatians 5:22, has had a habit, lately, of not quite coming to full maturity, full fruition; and I am left with the dregs of a lecturing tongue or a fuming heart.  Having stopped by someone’s home this week, I couldn’t help but notice the little rock sitting next to their door…and you guessed it, painted ever so lovely there was the word, ‘patience.’   A lack of patience is somewhat odd for me, since I tend to be very patient; sometimes excessively so.  What to make of this? 

I suppose I could be forgiven for a little impatience from time-to-time.  But I need to take a serious look at “why now?”  Why am I so quick to demand my own agenda; so concerned about doing it my way, right away?  Where does this come from?  Bottom line, of course, is the fact that it is sinful.  But under-girding it is, admittedly, a tired heart. The words of 1 Corinthians 13:4 almost shouted at me: “Love is patient, love is kind…”  Berating myself, and determining to become more patient, has hardly helped.  

So, I am thankful for my pastor’s recent comment: “You have two jobs; one at The Villa and one with your Mom.”  He is right, and it was helpful to get some perspective on it.    A warning bell has gone off in my mind; I really need a break.  And the same words: “Love is patient, love is kind,” are now whispering to me; breathing life into my soul as I consider the patience and kindness of Jesus Christ.  He is patient.  He is kind.  I am His daughter. I can truly find refreshing rest, in my Saviour, and in admitting my own weakness and fatigue.  

Some time ago, (Feb.17, 2014:”Golden Threads”), I wrote about a couple - Jim and Lillian Scott.  Mr. Scott was the epitome of patience, especially as his dear wife slipped further and further away into the dense fog of Alzheimer’s.  His own heart ached so, for the love of his life; spending hours by her side, devoted to the end.  His testimony did not go unnoticed and a friend of mine, who got married on August 1, 2015, wrote me the following note, in response to my congratulatory words: 

“I thank Mr. Jim Scott for showing me by his treatment of his wife Lillian, how to conduct myself in marriage. Margo and I met 6 years ago at the Yonge Street Mission.”

Thank you, John, for refreshing my tired soul, by reminding me of these dear friends and Mr. Scott’s example of patience and kindness. We can be sure that he would be the first to admit that it was the Lord’s doing.  And for this I am grateful.  It's true: "God is not finished with me yet," and He is the one who is determined to bear this precious fruit of patience in my life.

I will be planning a break; and that right soon.