1 Corinthians 13:4 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
We are a society that wants everything fast. We microwave our food in 3 minutes. We drive 80 mph. We won't wait if the line is too long. We hate to sit at the doctor's office more than an hour. We won't leave a message if the voicemail takes too long to pick up. We can't wait for the weekend or vacations or just the next day to come. We go through online courses that take 8 weeks to complete. We rush through accelerated programs to get out in a hurry. We are a society that wants everything fast. But patience is a virtue.
Proverbs 19:11 says, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."
We must learn to be more patient. Patient with our spouses and all their inadequacies. We must learn to be patient with their love. We must learn to be patient. God does not work on our time. He works in His own time. Being patient with our spouses doesn't mean allowing them to use and abuse us, it means that we wait on God to work in their lives and in the meantime, we are patient. We are praying. We are protecting. We are providing. We are prevailing.
Look for opportunities to be patient with your spouse this week. Instead of expecting and wanting everything fast. Sit back and relax and enjoy the ride. Take time to smell the roses. Take time to see the sun rise. (If you haven't, it's a gorgeous sight.) Take time to see the sun set. This is also a beautiful sight. Take time to look for the good in your spouse. If you look close enough, you'll find something that they have of value to add to your relationship. Remember God is patient with us everyday. Be patient to others. Be patient with your spouse.
Be patient with them, God isn't finished with them yet.
"Patience is a Virtue". That's what they pounded into my head as I pledged PHI BETA SIGMA. Little did I know that it would be my mantra for marriage. Please don't think I needed a lot of patience with my wife; but boy did she need God's portion of Patience to keep her sanity regarding her dealing with lil ole me. Patience Patience Patience!!! As we mature in Christ we look at things differently. God teaches us to be patient, kind, humble, and to Love our spouses unconditionally. Patience is key in truly loving your spouse and them Loving you simply because none of us are perfect! I pray daily for patience in my dealings with my son and wife as we all should. In conclusion I am thankful for my wife's Patience.
ReplyDeleteKeep it Going Schnuky!
God Bless You.
Hello DiAnne, I enjoyed your inspirational posts about God's Union. I wish you and your Beloved family the very best. I am not sure whether you are in my class. But, if not, I believe it is great that I got to see your great site on patience, love and family.
ReplyDeleteRelationship with God is the key to life, light, and love. I agree wholeheartedly with you that prayer, Bible reading daily, and listening for God's word are keys to receiving our "daily bread," our sustenance of life. These activities help renew our soul and our convictions to be one with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I believe you are also absolutely correct that our relationship with God carries over to our relationships in life with family and friends. It is always good to have relationships that are uplifting and refreshing. I love being around those that talk about the Bible and how God's word has given them confidence to carry on life's missions and works.
I begin each year with starting Genesis in the Bible and read through the Bible each year. Each year I learn something I did not grasp the year before.
A dear friend just gave me a copy of the Book of Enoch which is not found in the Holy Bible. If you recall Enoch was taken up to Heaven without having to die. He was Methusalah's grandfather.
I loved reading about Enoch's walk with God in the Heavens and visiting all the places the Holy Angels blessed him to see.
I have not finished reading the manuscript which was lost for so many centuries. But, Enoch was a prophet, a scribe, a visionary, who saw and talked about Jesus, the Messiah, long before Jesus was born.
I love the Bible stories. They help you understand how God thinks. They help you understand what is right and wrong. Even though many times there seems to be shades of gray.
For example, in our cultural setting, incest (marrying close relatives) is not a good choice. But, Abraham married his half sister, Sarah. They both had the same father, but different mothers. God did not disprove this union, but blessed the union with a son Issac.
Another example of Biblical unions that seems out of place or possibly very in place in today's world is relationships with those that are working in the home. Before Sarah conceived, Sarah gave her servant Haggar to Abraham to produce an heir. Haggar and Abraham produced a son, 12 years older than Issac.
DiAnne, I will stop here. Thank you for your great discussions on God's Union. The Bible is full of beautiful stories that speak to how God prospers Unions of husband and wife.
Blessings,
Carmen Stanfield