Patience is not one of my virtues. It is a daily struggle for me to learn the art of “waiting”. I do have faith that things will happen in God’s own timing. I know “God’s Got It”, when it comes to things that need to change or troubles fixed, but I often seem to think I need to do something to help the process along.
It is fall. It is harvest time. And now the rains are returning. In abundance! It is so frustrating, isn’t it? First it was such a wet planting and even growing season. So much crop that was destroyed within miles and miles. Driving those same roads these past few days brings back all those memories as the “lakes” in the fields have appeared once more. When it gets this wet at harvest time, it takes patience beyond measure to wait until the time is right to get into the fields. And, of course, as the calendar gets closer to October, we can hear the clock ticking faster toward those winter days when harvest should be completed.
That is when I have to “be still and know” that because of the short term promises that God has answered, He will also provide for the long term needs such as harvest. The encouragement gotten from little things helps me to know that He will be faithful to provide in the big things too!
“The Lord is my strength and song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2
Yes, the more we are thankful and grateful each day, giving him the honor and praise due Him, the more we can “wait on the Lord” for the help he sends.
I was encouraged by a long ago Bible story of patience this past weekend as I taught little people the story of Moses as a baby. The two-four year-olds in my class were full of questions about the basket in the river, and excited to find out that the baby’s real mother was chosen to nurture Moses and raise him, in spite of the danger to his life. Pharaoh’s own daughter carries out God’s plan to save this little child to later help save a nation. Exodus 2: 1-10. A story of hope and patience.
I have an old book given to me at my college graduation from a friend. In it are a treasure chest of stories and poems that I enjoy browsing through on a quiet day. The following words from Victor Hugo always encourage me:
“ Have courage for the great sorrows of life and PATIENCE for the small ones;
And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task,
Go to sleep in peace. God is awake.”
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