Fruit for the Holidays - Patience

Patience is hard, especially during the holidays when we are out of our routines. There is more stress, less margin, and we want things to go just right.

I confess that I have a hard time being present in the moment and I think this makes me highly susceptible to impatience. I get antsy. My mind easily wanders away from me. I am always in a hurry as I pursue the next thing that needs to be done. I need any problems and conflicts resolved immediately or I get stressed out. I have this need to plan ahead that overwhelms my senses because running out of time is one of my worst case-scenarios. You can only imagine how well these amazing (not!) qualities slam against a deadline like a holiday event. Let’s just say that my family tends to give me a wide berth on these special days that are dedicated to togetherness. Maybe you can relate.

As I dove into this topic, I realized that what I needed was to take on the patience the Holy Spirit offers, which is very different than mine.

I have to say that my whining and complaining came to a stop when it dawned on me how patient God is with us. Being omnipresent – he sees the world in a much different way. He has all the time in the world. Patience is his nature. I think about how long he waits for us to turn back to him and how he is slow to anger as he gives us opportunity after opportunity to get it right. That’s pretty darn humbling. His timing is perfect as is his patience. When I take the time to really see the patience God has for me, I can’t help but be more patient with not only other people, but also myself. I am so thankful for that.

I am hopeful that when the pressures mount and the stress invades our space, we can all humbly take on that patience that the Holy Spirit offers through his grace.

What are some things that often test your patience, especially around the holidays?

Does it feel like people you see less frequently are more or less likely to try your patience?

In what ways can the patience the Holy Spirit offer us help in our day to day lives?

Is it easy to take for granted the patience God has for you?

How does humility impact your patience level?

Scripture:

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life" 1 Timothy 1:15-16.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9