Quote of the Day: Patience doesn’t mean making a pact with the devil of denial, ignoring our emotions and aspirations. It means being wholeheartedly engaged in the process that’s unfolding, rather than ripping open a budding flower or demanding a caterpillar hurry up and get that chrysalis stage over with. Sharon Salzberg
The word for the Advent Photo A Day Project today is Patience/Patient. I like the quotes and reflections they used at rethinkchurch for the project. I could have saved myself some time if I’d just quoted them, but I wanted to find my own quote, which took a little patience. If you’ve been checking in daily for my posts, you needed a little more patience today. It took me a while. The boys had orthodontic appointments this morning. The waiting room was full of patients, who seemed to have quite a bit of patience. They weren’t running too far behind, and I had a friend to talk to, so I was at a 10 on the patience scale. I usually bring a book along, so I even welcome the waiting if I’m at a good part!
I’m usually at a pretty high level of patience, unless I’m in a hurry, or we’re running late, or the situation is irritating, like any time I have to call an automated service for something like the phone or computer. Then, I can drop down to about a 2 on the patience scale. (1 being, “Get out of my way! and 10 being “Whatever, take your time. I’m not in rush.”) The patience meter hovers around a 1 or 2 when you’re stalled in traffic and you can’t figure out why. It can start out at a 10 in the morning when everyone is in a good mood and seem to have everything together. It drops down considerably at the end of the day when things are forgotten or someone waited until the last minute to get ready to leave, you’re hungry and late, and you can’t find a parking place.
We had a band concert tonight. I felt rushed getting there, but once it started, I relaxed and enjoyed it. Another reason this blog post is popping up rather late in the day.
Sometimes, we have to be patient whether we like it or not. Some things just take time. I know someone who’s baby is due today, and I think she might be impatiently waiting for his arrival.
Which brings me back to Advent. The whole world waited (patiently?) for a savior. Mary waited for her baby boy to be born. We wait every year to celebrate Christmas, but we actively wait. We plan. We invite. We prepare. Then, it’s finally here!
Patience, sometimes it seems like a dirty word. It means having to wait. It means the time is not yet right for what we want. But, our patience is a time of preparing and hoping, planning and dreaming.
Go. Create. Inspire!
And, thank you for your patience in reading this post.
Some days we have to pack a lot of patience, especially when traveling with kids!
Journaling Prompt: What are you waiting for right now? Are you feeling patient, or impatient?
It’s difficult to be patient- stay in the moment- when life is painful and your heart hurts. The concept of “God’s timing” really is tested then. The reward for remaining present is empathy, faith, strength and mercy, and those are gifts we can share. Patience reaps a harvest if we allow. I’m still not sure I like it, though. 😉 Again, thought-provoking post.
Stalled traffic bottoms out my patience meter. That’s the one place I really lose it.