The Fruit of Truth - Patience

At one time, I wondered why patience made the fruit of the spirit list.  It doesn’t spread itself out like love, nor does it exude the presence of peace.  As my youth began to flee and I began to embrace middle age, the wisdom of God concerning patience gripped me, and it became abundantly clear why he uses patience as one of the attributes to define  the children of God.  Most of us have heard the cry “I want patience and I want it now.”  Patience anchors our self discipline.  Without patience, never could we peer into the eyes of self control.  I have come to realize patience has an IMPORTANT work to do in us.  It is patience that frames us, as we take time to help a person in need.  It is patience that calms us in the face of an irate obscene loud speaking person.  It is patience that fuels our tolerance of one another in difficult moments.  It was patience that we witnessed as we observed Jesus with the leper, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, and in every situation.  It’s patience at work that keeps us from blowing our stacks, losing our cool, and flying off at the handle.  I am convinced we need to pray for MORE patience- an abundant amount of patience, so we can stoically stand in the face of any and everything, with the light of Jesus shining through us, as we humbly point to the old rugged cross.  Patience is quiet.  It does not bring attention to itself.  When was the last time someone took your patience temperature?  Who was it?  A mate? Another driver?  A slow cashier when you were in a hurry?  Patience is always there to remind us to slow down and live one moment at a time, so we can see those in need around us.  I have more that I will say next week.  Until then, be patient.  Blessings.

~Lamar