THE THIRD FRIDAY IN ADVENT
FRIDAY, December 17, 2010
James 5:7-10 7Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
I fondly remember Christmas several years ago when I purchased a Cinderella coach complete with a Cinderella doll and white horse for our granddaughter. When she opened it she screamed with delight and threw her arms around the box and hugged it tightly. "I love it. I love it. I loved it" she squealed. She was so anxious to get down on the floor and run Cinderella, the horse and carriage around the room. But she sat patiently, waiting and watching her Dad and me as we struggled to put all the pieces together. I thought such a demonstration of patience bodes well for a little girl.
James urges us to be patient for the coming of the Lord. But I think his admonition for patience has application for our lives in the world today. Be patient as you drive behind the pokey driver. Be patient with the elderly woman in the cashier’s line as she fumbles in her purse. Be patient with the child who struggles to do it herself. Be patient with yourself.
SO WHAT tries your patience? Will you resolve to remember James’ words when you find your patience running out?
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Come and give us patience and give us patience now! AMEN
Traffic always tries my patience. Good thing I don't commute to Hbg!
ReplyDeleteI can be very short with those closest to me - my wife, daughter, and dog.
ReplyDeleteI love your prayer, Pastor Evan!! Patience is very hard for me when it comes to waiting on situations, somewhat hard w/ people I think "should know better" (like, in various ways, my 12-year-old or my husband!!). I tend to have more patience -- though I'm far from perfect -- with my 5-year-old because I'm more empathetic, I guess, about what is fair to expect of him. But patience is definitely my biggest spiritual challenge.
ReplyDelete