BE PATIENT

We’ve had one of those weeks where both kids have been sick. Their needs are a little more immediate… bucket to be sick, cool washcloth for the fever, hugs for the hurt… Basically I’ve jumped for everything that would ease their pain. Now that we’re on the mend, the requests for instant gratification keep coming.

They’ve become accustomed to having every desire met instantly and their patience has diminished. It suddenly reminded me of my own prayers and frustration with God this week. I’ve wanted God to answer my prayers RIGHT away and when I didn’t see immediate results, I failed to remember all the times He has been faithful as well as all the daily blessings I take for granted… I want food, I open the refrigerator; I need water, I turn on a faucet; I want to go somewhere, I hop in my car. All these luxuries are mine. I’ve become so accustomed to my Heavenly Father providing them for me, that I just expect them to be there.

We often think our children are growing up in an entitlement generation but the truth is, so have we. Sure we might not have had cartoons available to us 24/7 but we do expect to have light when we flip a switch and we forget how amazing that is because it's ours immediately.

When I think about the things I’ve had to wait for in life, they’ve created some of my greatest moments of joy… 16 years to drive, 37 years for a husband, 9 months for a baby. Would they have meant as much to me if I had them the moment I asked? Selfishly, I know I wouldn't have put as much effort into each and value them as much as I do without the journey I took to reach those life changing destinations. So I was reminded this week that I must be patient when I read...“As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” – Micah 7:7 God has heard my prayers but in the same manner that we save our child's special gift 'till their birthday, rather than giving it to them the moment we buy it, God know the special occasion in which to deliver His perfect gifts for our lives. He has our best interest at heart and like any loving Father, He can't wait to see the smile on our face and hear the words of gratitude from us when He delivers our heart's desire. What are you waiting on that requires patience?