Love Is Patient

Are you a toe tapper?  Foot stomper?  Finger thumper?  Yes, I admit it!  I am not a patient person – I’m sure that is at least one reason God gave me Mr. Bill.  I should have recognized it -- the fishing pole should have been a dead giveaway ... anyone who fishes must be patient.  If I do not learn patience

from  Mr. Bill, surely I will die of anxiety.

 

God is patient ... love is patient.  He expects us to be patient as well. The New Testament says, “love suffereth long …” (1 Corinthians 1:4).  I know what that is -- don't you?  It's running in the grocery story for one or two items, and ending up behind someone with a buggy full.  It's leaving work late for an appointment, and getting stopped by every traffic light.  Actually, it's much more: It’s faithfully doing good, understanding “in due season” we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:9); It’s being “patient before the LORD,” trusting Him completely (Psalm 37:79); It’s joyfully enduring difficulties with patience, “constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12); It’s staying humble and gentle with others “bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).  God’s reward for patience is ongoing joy and a true spirit of peace.  Therein is the Love of Christ, brought about by Godly patience.  Yes, love is patient.