Do You Mind Waiting?

WatermelonsImage by La Grande Farmers' Market via Flickr
Let... patience... do a thorough work
James 1:4

Larry Moyer tells the story of a prison warden who asked a man on death row what he would like to eat for his last meal. He said, 'A huge piece of watermelon.' The warden said, 'You must be joking! This is December. Watermelons haven't even been planted, let alone harvested.' The inmate replied, 'That's okay, I don't mind waiting.' So here's the question: do you mind waiting? How do you act when things don't move fast enough for you? Graciously, or not so graciously? 

A well-known minister writes, 'I happened to be in a store and had waited a long time in a slow-moving line to pay for one little item. The people in front of me had stacks of items. Then I was overlooked while somebody else was served ahead of me. When it was finally my turn, the sales assistant looked at me and said, "Thank you for waiting. Are you who I think you are... that preacher on TV? I knew the minute you walked in that it was you." I thought to myself, "What if I'd been angry and mouthing off because I wasn't served in the proper order?" Impatient behaviour can adversely affect our witness.' When you view life's irritations through God's eyes, it changes how you feel about situations that are testing your patience. You begin to see them as friends, not enemies. You realise that God permits them to help mature you. So, '...Let... patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be... perfectly... developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.'

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Comments

My how I wish I could be patient...Admire those in the world who can be patient and they do it so well...You know often I want it done yesterday!!! Thank you for this post! Cathy
Wanda said…
Oh so true but It's one of those areas I must work on.
Steve said…
Excellent and challenging word. Reminds me of when I feel impatient with technicalities involving the computer, not my forte as you know!
Pietro Brosio said…
Sometimes I feel impatient, I'd like to have things done immediately!
Very good post!
Barbara said…
Oh! Dear, see myself here at times!
photowannabe said…
Well...ouch...I must be more patient. its so true that we don't know who's watching us and what kind of a witness they observe. Great word for the day. Thanks Mike.

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