Patience...

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
​~ James 5:10 - 11
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"Patience is a virtue," are the immortal words all of us have come to know. Even before I had any knowledge of what a virtue was, I had already been told this. For those who know me, patience is a virtue I still struggle to understand.

So often while at the bedside of a patient, I will hear family members comment, "What are they waiting for?" Especially if the process of dying seems to be taking a long time.

It happens on the other side of the life-spectrum as well, when an overdue expectant mother breathes heavily and looks to the heavens and asks, "How much longer?"

Recently a person shared with me that, "Patience is learning to live within God's timing."

The words came, as the disease she has struggled with for ten years, has slowly caused her to decline, and caused her to become dependent on others.

​In the book of James the writer reminds us that over the years there have been many who have persevered, and at the same time, learned to be patient.

I must admit, I am not so certain that I will ever fully understand what it means to be patient. I suppose with age, and some wisdom, I have learned that for some things we must simply learn to wait. To wait upon the Lord is something the Psalmist penned centuries ago, and remains something that we all must consider when it comes to our lives, and the things that we experience each and every day.

Stay in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2018