I am not always a patient
person. I often times struggle with having to wait. I know patience
is a virtue – but it seems to be a virtue I am lacking at times. These last couple
of weeks I have found myself in lengthy waits that taxed my patience. The
first was two weeks ago at the hospital with Brenda and Gracie. Brenda had
some tests being done and I was in charge of Gracie. As Gracie and I were
on one of many explorations down the hallway an elderly woman sitting in a
chair commented on Gracie’s energy. I said, yes – sometimes she has too
much!
The lady responded by saying, ‘no
such thing’. She had a face wrinkled by time - creased by the years she had seen. I enjoyed speaking with her - and listening to what she had to tell me. She shred the story of her daughter who passed away
at a young age (in her very early teens) because of an illness that left her
very lethargic. Her husband reminded her many times of the blessings they
received while she was with them. His focus was not on what the daughter wasn't, but what she was and the joy she brought to both mom and dad. I was humbled and reminded of our
blessing with Gracie’s health and exuberance. Before I had an opportunity
to thank the elderly lady, she got up out of her chair to lead another couple
to their next doctor’s appointment.
This last week I spent several
afternoons at the DMV trying to get a title for my Saturn VUE. I was
there two separate days for approximately 2-3 hours all together. I was
waiting on a fax from Chase Manhattan in Texas showing I had paid the vehicle
off in 2005. When I recognized I was growing impatient I took a moment to
pray for each DMV staff person, one at a time. I imagine they deal quite
a lot with impatient people. I also began to read a book I had brought
about Old Testament stories, written by Dr. Ellsworth Kalas (one of my preaching professors in Seminary). As I was reading, a gentleman stopped to talk with me, recognizing the book and thinking he
recognized me. He said I looked exactly like a missionary back from
England who would be at their church for the next six months. I had a
wonderful conversation with him and learned a bit about his church. I
appreciate his stopping and talking with me.
So, hopefully I am learning to be
more patient and seeking blessings when I am forced to wait and don’t want to!
2 comments:
I have traveled twice to European countries; once to Italy and Greece and once to Germany. As I travel, I do a lot of 'people watching'. When in Italy, on Sunday, they completely close everything and people just hang out with their families. It was very refreshing to see people sitting in the piazzas watching the children play. When in Germany on a business trip, traveling through busy streets, subways, and the Glasstec show we attended, people were in a general hurry, but I never witnessed rude people. Oh, by the way...they served beer all day in Germany much like we serve milk, yet people never appeared out of control. Upon my return to the states, I try to focus on slowing down and enjoying the moment.
Something in our American culture makes it difficult for most of us to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Perhaps a bit more of that would be good for us!
Post a Comment