Driving through Life………..

“Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to His will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making Him proud of you as you work hard in His orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul~not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory~strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that He has for us.”
Colossians 1:9-12                     
                                                                                                                      
    The other morning, I realized I forgot to go to the store and was out of coffee……not good! It’s the one vice I have let myself keep in all the things I’ve had to give up.  Instead of having to get dressed, appropriately ;-), I decided to go to a drive thru.  As I ordered, the guy accidentally hit two buttons at once and added on something I didn’t order.  He noticed right away, apologized and asked me to wait a second while he corrected the mistake.  I waited and waited for what seemed like forever.  Once he had corrected the mistake, he apologized for my wait….I pulled up…..and he again, apologized and said how sorry he was that I had to wait "so long".  As he was rushing around getting orders, taking care of business….I started thinking about how long it took. I realized it probably had taken less then one minute for him to correct that mistake…..less then one minute.  As I thought back, I realized I had started to get a little irritated. Although the guy didn’t know this, he still felt the need to profusely apologize for that "less then one minute" I had to wait.  Does anything sound wrong here to you? Something wasn’t  right! And it wasn’t with him…..it was with me.

     One thing this disease has definitely made me aware of is what it means to be patient…..or long-suffering.  And, yet…..the patience I’ve needed to develop to endure this suffering is nothing compared to the patience that other people in this world have needed to endure their hardships.  I think of those who are literally starving, tortured, losing family member after family member….and I am truly humbled.  Everything is perspective and experience.  And, although I have been patient and long-suffering with this disease…..many years of trying to figure out what was wrong……it is in the smallest of things that my patience is tried.  We all have those moments ….the moment the light turns green and the car in front of us just sits there…..the moment you go to check out at Walmart and both of the two registers open are full…..the moment you go to the bank and the only line that’s open is for “commercial customers” only…..the moment you ask your child to take the garbage out and he says “next commercial"…..the moment you ask your husband to take the dog out and he says, “ after this shot.” 

    So, we practice our patience all through the day and then we pull up in the drive thru….where in our perspestive…..in our experience……in our view…..we shouldn’t have to wait.  And when we do, someone needs to pay for that….either literally or by profusely apologizing.  Not only are they apologizing for our having to wait in their line….. but, in a way, they are  “paying” for the waiting we have had to do with everyone else that day.
     I knew once I got the date for my surgery, the waiting for the day to come would be difficult.  I over analyze everything and with too much time….I can really drive myself nuts…..and everyone else around me too. :-)  I’ve tried keeping my mind occupied with other things while I am waiting……  reading, writing, making jewelry ;-)……and practicing my patience.  One definition states that patience is the ability to calmly endure pain, hardships, difficulties and annoyances.  I know that without God’s Spirit within me, I would not be capable of having any patience with this disease or anything else.  Thankfully, patience is one of the gifts we are given when we receive His Spirit within us……it is one of His fruits that He develops in us.  It doesn’t happen automatically. It happens has we are tested and grow in Him and His Spirit.  I love the way The Message interrupts and describes the fruits of His Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-24  Paul states: "But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard ~ things like affection for others (loving), exuberance about life (joy), serenity (peace). We develop a willingness to stick with things (patience), a sense of compassion in the heart (kindness), and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people (goodness). We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments (faithfulness), not needing to force our way in life (gentleness), able to marshal and direct our energies wisely (self-control).  Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good ~ crucified."
  When I was in the line having to wait, I begin reacting in a way that most people react ….irritated and annoyed.  But, because God has been developing His fruit of patience in me, God’s Spirit reminded me to have His patience and kindness.  He gave me self-control and allowed me to react with love and gentleness to the guy who was working so hard. And when I left, I had a peace because I had reacted in God’s way.  I was only able to do that because He made me mindful of these things….not of my own will or power.  I  know that by developing these fruits in me in the little things in life, God is preparing me for the bigger circumstances I will face.  He is giving me these gifts in order that I may have peace and honor Him.  He is giving me His perspective.  He is giving me His ways.  I know that I am not perfect nor ever will be…..and many times, I react in ways that might feel good at the moment, but makes me and everyone else feel worse later on….that is why I am so thankful that God IS always patient, loving, kind and good.  I am thankful that He responds to my imperfections with gentleness and peace.  I am thankful that He makes me mindful of His ways.  Without Him, I would just be another jerk in the drive thru line giving people who are trying to make it in this life, a peace of my mind because they denied me of my rights….after all, he took away “less then one minute” of my life…..GEEZ.  ;-)  Give someone a break today…..smile and say thank you, no matter how long it takes!  You both will feel better!  Much Love!