Patience ... again

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

I hung up the phone with an unsettled feeling rolling around in my stomach. Things were not right and I knew that part of it was my fault…yet, not ALL my fault. This weekend we celebrate two years in the desert and as much as I love it here, it has not been an easy time. Still thinking about the conversation, I noticed that doctor's appointments dominate my old calendar. I was about ready to have my own private pity party but decided to call a friend to see if I was off base figuring a little perspective is what I really needed. She reminded me that one of the drawbacks of getting older is the lack of energy and more importantly, the recuperation time we now need. The last months have been particularly trying and she suggested that I should be a little easier on myself and get some rest. I know she is right but one thing I have little patience for is not being able to do what I have always done. Soon I felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit reminding me that we had just finished studying about patience last spring in Bible study. Oh…right. Years ago my mother told me to be careful about praying for patience and it looks like I am still learning. I apologized for my actions and cleared the calendar. In a few days, I'll be rarin' to go.