Dear God, Send Me Patience

Last week at my women’s church group, we were asked which of the Holy Spirits gifts we use and which one we struggle with. Over half the room said, “Patience is a struggle for them.”

I pray constantly for patience. I used to pray for strength until someone told me that God would send me situations that would challenge me to be strong. I stopped that immediately. I decided patience was a softer, more graceful, attribute. And so I prayed morning and night for patience. I was beginning to think God was ignoring my plea.

For the past few months, I’ve been extremely impatient. I want things done NOW!! I want Ellen to call me to discuss Angel Bumps on her show NOW! I even have the books ready to go to put under every guest’s seat.

I went to Water Aerobics last Wednesday. I wanted my thighs to be toned by Friday. They were not. I didn’t go back. How long can this possibly take? I want it NOW!

When my husband went back into the house to fetch his wallet, I was calm. When he went back for his glasses, I was a tad irritated. When he went back for his mustache comb, I wanted to speed away and leave him home. This is why I pray for patience.

This morning a photo on my coffee mug caught my eye. I was holding my nine-month-old granddaughter. My eyes are red from crying that I had to catch a flight home. She was smiling at me, her hand on my cheek. She is ten now.

While I waited and waited for the Kuerig to dispense my coffee, I realized that those years went so fast. I wished I could go right back to that moment in time and enjoy that moment longer.

I’d need patience to savor meaningful moments. I asked God once again to please spare me just a few sprinkles of patience.

Then it happened. It was a miracle. He sent me a sign. I was visiting a friend’s yacht when I passed this sailboat. God had spoken! He sent me patience.

I guess I need to be more specific in my prayers.