Untangled
Patience doesn't always come naturally.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Col. 3:12-17
Patience comes in many forms.
My gradfather epitomized patience for me.
My grandmother would occasionally pull a necklace from her drawer only to find that the thin chain had become tangled, so she would give it to grandpa and without saying a word, he would don his glasses, spread out the chain on the kitchen table before him and get to work.
I would watch him, fascinated at his persistence, as he worked the knots loose and gently pulled at the chain with two fingers in one hand, while anchoring the chain with the fingers of his other hand.
One by one, the knots loosened, and then the task of unthreading the chain could begin.
I really think he enjoyed doing it, not because it was fun or even challenging, which it was, but because it was something he could do for his wife, whom he loved and adored.
The smile on his face when he held up the unsnarled necklace and handed it to her was priceless.
It is clear to me that patience is an act of compassion and love.
When we lose it, we say to the person we railed at, "You are not loved!"
"I do not love You!"
What a horrible thing to say to anyone, even one's neighbor, or one's enemy.
Jesus offered all of us a touch of Godliness by telling us to love one another. It is through love that we show compassion, grace, humility, and patience.
Thank God that God is loving.
Thank God that God showed us how to be loving too.
More to come...