This is a four generation picture taken at Christmas. The woman on the right is my 90 year old mother. A beautiful example of a woman of PATIENCE.The Second BE Attitude I recommend is BE PATIENT.
"Lord, I'm praying for patience, and I want it now." I smile when some one makes that statement but still I am guilty of that very thing. The love chapter 1 Corinthians 13 tells us in verse 4 that "Love is patient." James tells his readers to "be patient,stand firm" (James5:8) We are such an instant society. So much of our day is involved with things that happen instantly and if they don't we become very stressed out. I once had dial-up internet and was so thrilled when I got it, but now I have DSL and it still isn't as fast as I would like.I want my messages now.
We are the same way about our church,our family, our job and our recreation. All things will happen in God's time, but we have our plans for right this minute.God tells us often to "wait upon the Lord." and the promise of "wings like eagles" Isiaah 40:13 is one of my favorite verses. But we want to "fly" this instant.
Our society insists our children grow up so quickly. We plan so many activities (even in the church) that our children have no time to play. We seem to push them to fly from the nest before they really have grown wings. One my favorite writings is Wet Oatmeal Kisses(credited often to Erma Bombeck) and I want to share it.
Wet Oatmeal Kisses "The baby is teething; the children are fighting. My husband just called- to eat dinner without him."
Okay, one of these days you'll shout! "Why don't you grow up and act your age!" And they will. Or: "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do...and don't slam the door!" And they won't.
You'll straighten up their bedrooms neat and tidy...bedspreads tucked and smooth...toys displayed on the shelves. Hangers in the closet. Animals caged. And you'll say out loud: "Now I want it to stay this way." And it will.
You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you'll say: "Now there's a meal for company." But you'll eat it alone.
You'll say: "I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around. No demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear!" And you'll have it.
No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti. No more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent. No more dandelion bouquets; or wet, knotted shoestrings; tight boots, or rubber bands for pony tails.
Imagine. A lipstick with a point. No baby-sitter for New Year's Eve.washing clothes only once a week. No PTA meetings. No car pools. No blaring radios. No more Christmas presents out of toothpicks and library paste. No more wet oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No giggles in the dark. No knees to heal.
Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up."
And the silence echoing, "I did."
So many times I have shared this with a young mother bemoaning her fate in life. All of us who have raised children know about patience or the lack thereof. If you have grandchildren, or perhaps those beautiful great-grandchildren share the message of patience. Be an encourager to the young parents around you. They need to know our experiences of the past. Share Isiaah 40:31 with them. "But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."
Isiaah's advice is not just for the young people of the world. In this past year of hip replacements and broken ankles I have often claimed his promise. I prayed for Patience for bones to heal and strength to return that I might walk and not grow faint. I dream of soaring on wings like eagles. Even though my bones will never let me run very fast my spirit can soar if only I will keep an attitude of patience.
Our God is a God of patience. I think daily what patience he must have as he forgives me day after day for the same foolish mistakes. And in our hurry-up society we quarrel and fuss and are so impatient about much that really isn't very important. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. Let me be reminded daily to "Wait upon the Lord." May you too wait as you walk with Him. Enjoy your Walk.
