I Timothy 1:16
So I meant for this to be continued, and it will be. Patience is something that I have struggled with for so long. I always jokingly say I get it from my dad because he can have a short temper. I really dislike bearing patience especially when I feel like the other person is incompetent and that they should know better. It is very unhealthy, I know. Most people don't get the joy of seeing this side of me because I don't show it very often. However, four people in my life must bear this burden each and every day of their lives with me, and that is my family. I treat them poorly, with disrespect very often, more often than I should as a daughter and older sister. I should be somewhat of a role model to my brother and sister, yet so very often I ignore them or brush them away with a quick smart-a-leck-y response. The same goes for my parents. All throughout high school and even in college (but less so I hope), I have not honored them they way I should and have taken them for granted time and time again. It's one of those psychological things that you know they will always be there, they have no BIG reason to forsake you, so you naturally take advantage of that. Your relationship with them is secured. But it may not be glorifying to God. In fact, mine is definitely not much of the time.
Yet God shows his mercy on me as this verse says. Jesus Christ came to show us the ultimate example of patience so that we might follow in that example, and by following Him, we will be equipped to guide others to Him so that they can look upon Him and be saved. Now, I must say, for me, emulating Jesus' example is no easy task. But I praise God for the work that He has done so far. In the last week, He has already blessed beyond blessed me with patience that I have never seen myself exhibit except when I have some ulterior motive. He has worked in places I never would have given a second glance. I thank Him for giving me the chance to play with my brother and sister, like actually play, not just watch tv with them or do whatever, but play a game of charades with them and their rowdy friends, all at least 8 years younger than me, and I am proud to say that I had fun. I really did. God did that. He freaking did that. Never in my own mind would I choose to play with a group of 10-year olds. I just wouldn't. I would much rather be doing whatever else you can do in this world than put myself through that. But He pushed me and showed me the joy in showing patience. I didn't just rudely turn down their offer to play, but I thought, "Heck, why not, maybe I'll have some fun." God is just so amazing. He has already taken me this far in just one week! I feel utterly blessed.
But it doesn't end here; I am still earnestly praying each and every day that I will be raised up to have a patient heart. I desperately need it, not just in my family, but in everything else I do in my life. I feel like as this verse says, through display of patience, we might be an example for others to see Jesus working in our lives and believe on Him to receive eternal life because that patience, it definitely does not come from us. It comes straight from Him, and the people in our lives who see that will see our God behind this good work and believe on Him. I have confidence in that. He has already shown me an inkling of what it looks like, and I praise Him for it.
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