Learning patience...

 

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them– every day begin the task anew.”  ~ Francis de Sales

Being patient.  To some, it is a hard virtue to practice.  We go about our days, looking forward to one thing or other.  Soon that event will arrive, but it is hard to wait for it. We are like children waiting for our special day!  Or we are tired, hurting and don't feel like taking our time to understand a loved one. It is quite a test to be patient. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..." Colossians 3:12.

God was very patient with many Bible characters.  He waited and listened and still waited.  If we are to be Christ-like, we must practice the test of patience.  God knows when we are earnestly trying and our reward shall be far greater than a special day on earth.

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5: 7-8.

Inner loveliness...

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." Confucius

The garden is alive with color now.  Golden daylilies, blue agapanthus, purple balloon flowers, red roses.  To outward appearances, everything is beautiful.

And when we view other humans, what do we see?  Beautiful complexions, long flowing hair, the perfect outfit, a winning smile?  Are we too focused on the outward to see the most beautiful soul within? 

1 Peter 3:3-4 says, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

We humans are souls living within bodies.  We sometimes forget that God put us here in our earthly bodies to do His good work.  He made everyone perfect in His sight. Therefore, we should not judge others by how they look; rather by how they help. Life is short.  We can either spend it worrying about our outward appearance, or we can live each day fulfilling God's love.

"The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7