Be Patient!

How patient are you? If someone would have asked me this question six months ago I would have answered differently than I do today. I thought I was a patient person … that’s until I moved 2,000 miles to a new place, tried to connect with new friends, and adopted a baby.

I thought I was being patient when I had to wait through one stoplight back in Montana.

I’m learning to be patient with myself as a drive around new streets.

I’m learning to be patient with other drivers as they cut in, cut out, and drive circles around me.

I thought I was being patient when I had to wait for my teenagers to finish dressing and getting ready for church.

I’m learning to be more patient as I step away from my manuscript to feed a hungry baby or cuddle her just because she wants some cuddling.

I thought I was being patient with my friends when they were five minutes late to our coffee date.

I’m learning to be patient with myself as I adjust to a new place. After all, I want to be rooted and grounded NOW. I want to have friends, a small group, and a church … just like the one I left.

I thought I was patient with God when He was more silent than I wanted Him to be.

I’m learning to be patient as I wait for a house to sell, as I wait until I can see my older kids again, and as I trust that His plans are perfect and His timing is perfect.

I’m learning to be patient when “wait” or “not yet” is His answer.

Adel Bestavros says, “Patience with others is Love, Patience with self is Hope, Patience with God is Faith.”

I’m learning more about patience than I even dreamed, and through all the changes I’m also discovering love, hope, and faith in ways I’d never known them before.