If you have ever doubted the sense of humor of God, don't!! He heard my prayers for patience. This morning I was stopped by a train on my trip back home from taking Anna to pre-kindergarten. I happened to be the first car in line waiting at the crossing. I watched as these train cars filled with coal traveled by and I enjoyed the crisp fall morning sun rising higher in the sky behind me. After 3 locomotive engines and 36 coal cars went past, the train stopped on the track, with numerous cars yet to pass by me. STOPPED!!! Now, I want you to know, I did not get upset. I really was enjoying it. The music on the radio was good and I was just looking around and thinking. I waited for the train to begin moving and behind me cars and trucks turned around to head in the other direction. I could see cars and trucks on the other side of the train tracks do the same. I waited. After 18 minutes of the train being stopped, I could sit not longer. So I turned my truck around and headed back into town so that I might go the other way.
Now it gets better, once I got around to the other road home...there was the first of the three locomotive engines just getting to the trigger that lowers the cross arm. I had to laugh out loud. God, what humor you have! I continued on my journey and went out into the country and through some smaller communities to get home again. What is typically a 7-10 minute trip took me 53 minutes, today. And you know what, I never got frustrated. I got the chance to look out over crops and pastures. I could see the hills in the distance and the dense fog rising off the creeks to greet the sun. I was able to commune with God and His creation.
I can't say that I am a patient person but this morning...I handled a train with grace. Now, sweet Lord, give me the grace to handle the rest of the day! Blessings abound, enjoy each one.I hope that you will consider praying for patience. It might bring you a wonderful journey through town and a chance to share your morning with God in just one more way.
In Christ, Live.
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Patience is a tough word!
Patience is a word that describes something that we all want others to have and yet it is a word that we all cringe at attaining ourselves. Have you ever thought about it, really? Most people have heard "The Patience of Job" and everyone thinks...."Oh, Bless his heart!" Why is that how we all feel? I am hoping that my thoughts will help me (and possibly you) consider patience for what it is, a virtue.
By definition patience is an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. That does not seem all that terrible; certainly we can all achieve that at least from time to time. On a broader scale though, how do you gain patience? The only way that is possible is suffering the delay. And of course, the delay could be anything we don't want to do. I know that if I am trying to drive somewhere and have the misfortune of getting stopped by a train then the train is my test of patience. And what about going to to the doctor's appointment that you have scheduled for 10 am only to wait until 11:50 to be taken to an exam room. (And you are convinced at that point, that the doctor and the staff will hurry with you because, well it is lunch time!) Delays, tests, trials and tribulations are promised in life and can take on any size or shape. Yuck!
I think the Bible encourages us to pray for patience. If we read Galatians 5 we find that we are to avoid certain things and strive to gain others. We also know that in 1 John 5:15, we are told that we obtain the requests made of Him. It might be a stretch to consider that I could ever be as patient as I need to be or as patient as God wants me to be but I can certainly try to improve on my current level.
In the mean time, I think that I should keep busy. Perhaps if I am busy I might not notice the waiting that I have to endure. You know an idle mind is the devil's workshop...so get busy! While I wait I will do the following:
As you live life, I hope that you are not afraid to pray for patience. The trials and tribulations are going to come whether you have patience or not. But won't it be much nicer to not be so grumpy as we wait on the really long, slow train? I am choosing to pray for patience. I am hopeful.
Blessings to you and yours!
By definition patience is an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. That does not seem all that terrible; certainly we can all achieve that at least from time to time. On a broader scale though, how do you gain patience? The only way that is possible is suffering the delay. And of course, the delay could be anything we don't want to do. I know that if I am trying to drive somewhere and have the misfortune of getting stopped by a train then the train is my test of patience. And what about going to to the doctor's appointment that you have scheduled for 10 am only to wait until 11:50 to be taken to an exam room. (And you are convinced at that point, that the doctor and the staff will hurry with you because, well it is lunch time!) Delays, tests, trials and tribulations are promised in life and can take on any size or shape. Yuck!
I think the Bible encourages us to pray for patience. If we read Galatians 5 we find that we are to avoid certain things and strive to gain others. We also know that in 1 John 5:15, we are told that we obtain the requests made of Him. It might be a stretch to consider that I could ever be as patient as I need to be or as patient as God wants me to be but I can certainly try to improve on my current level.
In the mean time, I think that I should keep busy. Perhaps if I am busy I might not notice the waiting that I have to endure. You know an idle mind is the devil's workshop...so get busy! While I wait I will do the following:
- Pray
- Study
- Help others
- Praise God, be filled with thanksgiving
- Remember God's Word and believe that it is true for me and all who believe
As you live life, I hope that you are not afraid to pray for patience. The trials and tribulations are going to come whether you have patience or not. But won't it be much nicer to not be so grumpy as we wait on the really long, slow train? I am choosing to pray for patience. I am hopeful.
Blessings to you and yours!
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