The gift of patience

1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV — Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians holds these beautiful words:

“…and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…”

For the follower of Christ, their reason to be patient is their hope of eternity, bought by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus.

Patience is a consequence of a soul secure in Him.

It is an understanding of who God is and what He has done.

It’s also an opportunity.

Patient obedience to pickup our cross daily and follow Christ is a privilege.

It draws our hearts closer to our LORD and it helps us to be a testimony to others.

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:11‭-‬12 NKJV

Our diligence in following Christ is a testimony to those around us.

Thus our patient attitude of hope is a witness to the world.

This Christmas let us give the gift of patience.

James 5:11 NKJV — Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

May we be patient and steadfast in shining the truth of Jesus Christ in mercy, gentleness, kindness, compassion, and grace with those God has placed in our lives, loving as He does.

For all times and seasons are in His hands, and:

“The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Psalm 145:17 KJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your gift of patience. Thank You that it is through Your salvation we can rest in hope of eternal life. Lord Jesus, only in and through You do we find the ability to be patient, gentle, kind, merciful, compassionate, and loving. Lord, on our own we are simply unable to wait patiently, because it is through Your hope we have peace. Thank You for that. Thank You for Your birth, Your death, and Your Resurrection! Thank You for Your Holy Spirit which teaches and admonishes our hearts. Lord, please help us to be people of patience, peace, and joy. Thank You. Amen.

The compassion of a stranger

It has been going on for a while.

Anne has been expressing discomfort all year, but it’s stepped up a notch this summer.

I struggle with not feeling like I should have caught it sooner.

Infact when she was in fifth grade we had her into a specialist.

The diagnosis was migraines.

So we’ve watched Anne more carefully since then.

She even fainted twice at school one year, but we thought it was low blood sugar.

This basketball season her complaint seemed to form more frequently.

With the Spring her allergies were definitely angry and I mistakenly thought she was struggling with just the affects of that.

It was early Summer when I saw her grab her chest the same way I do when my chest is hurting.

It was like a bell rang in my brain.

I called the doctor’s office and spoke with a nurse.

She said I’d need to write down the symptoms and call back in a week.

Which I did.

I spoke with our doctor this time and she agreed that Anne should be seen.

In the meantime the chest pains had become so painful that Anne has actually been unable to function at times.

My anticipation for her to see the doctor was increasing as she struggled with not feeling well.

Then I realized I wouldn’t be able to attend the appointment.

Thankfully my husband was able to.

Our doctor agreed that she most likely has asthma, but wanted to rule out any other issues, so after Anne received a breathing treatment in the office my husband was to drive her to the hospital to get a chest x-ray and an EKG.

I spoke with my husband before they headed to the hospital.

I gripped the phone tight, willing myself not to be emotional.

My heart silently prayed for the Lord to comfort our girl since I couldn’t.

I so wanted to be there, to hold her hand, to pray with her, to comfort her.

Instead God had a different plan.

I received a text from my husband with the following picture and words:

So, I came around the corner from going to the bathroom and I heard this lady say to Bethany “Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ?” next thing I know they are praying for Bethany’s EKG.

I blinked back the tears of joy and surprise.

“God, You are amazing!”

My husband assured me that he had thanked the sweet lady.

Jesus knew exactly what both Anne and I needed.

And He filled it perfectly

with the

compassion of

a stranger.

Beautiful moments

Anne took this with my phone.

She didn’t mention it either, just left a beautiful picture for me to find.

Life does that as well.

A great example was this morning.

Anne had been asked to help in the nursery for the woman’s meeting this morning.

I talked Bell into going with me since Annie needed a ride.

We had a lovely time and I got to hold a sweet little 9 month old girl who ended up taking a nap in my arms.

Her little sleeping face cuddled up against me was so beautiful.

Recently as I was walking one of my students who has moved on stopped to say hello, despite his peers or schedule.

His thoughtfulness touched my heart.

Earlier this week I was surprised by being hugged from behind.

Sissy had spent two summers caring for this girl who is well on her way to becoming a beautiful woman.

It was so sweet that she took the opportunity to give me a blessing of the moment.

Even yesterday afternoon our son caught the waiver in my voice when referring to something from last school year.

He threw his arms around my neck and said, “Mom, I know how much you miss your students!”

His understanding and compassion were beautiful.

Hopefully I’m being able to share the beauty as well.

Compassion, love, understanding, care, forgiveness, and generosity are all examples of the beauty of God’s love shared.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for all your examples of the beauty of love. Please help me to walk in Your example and share Your beauty with those around me.