Got Patience?

Returning to the Mud

“Of them the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.’” 2^nd Peter 2:22 NASB

“Anger is one letter short of Danger.” Eleanor Roosevelt

I have a love/hate relationship with my Internet provider. I’m in the middle of a project, paying the bills, or watching The Chosen, and down it goes. Not just for an hour but for days! It happens frequently and it’s my only option because I live in the country. I twist myself into a pretzel when talking to a customer service representative because they’re doing their best. Then comes a swear word. Then comes frustration. Then comes anger because I have no other options. Pretty soon…

I’m back in the mud. The major disappointment reveals how little I’ve progressed in dealing with the unexpected, especially regarding my will and plans. Is it life-threatening? No. Can I work around it? Could I call a friend for help? Usually, when I look at my Internet bill, I become flaming red with anger and think I’ll delay paying them the same amount of days my service is down. So much for patience, joy and peace.

It’s the little things that push me away from what I know to do and be. The daily unexpected things like traffic, a head cold, or more month than money test my soul. Patience scarcity.

What to do? Gratitude. I have food, a home and loving relationships. I have books to read, a garden to tend, and access to the Father 24/7. Good health is a huge blessing! So I tentatively tell the Father how embarrassed I am for returning to the mud. Bad habits do this to us too! One-and-done is usually not possible in the earthly realm. I feel so bad when it’s a behavior I repeat and speak the same prayer for help and forgiveness. But Help comes. A neighbor has the same frustration with our Internet service and she models such patience! And her grace with my Type A behavior is just short of a miracle. The Father provides grace for our repetitive lessons.

Musings

When we’re embarrassed to tell the Father about our return to vomit and mud, that’s the Liar working on separating us from Him. The Father promises to draw close to us when we draw close to Him. Daily frustrations and problems can be helped with Him at the helm.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We rob ourselves of peace when we become impatient with another, impatient with how the world is, impatient with ourselves. Your patience with us is unfathomable! Remind us to come to You when we’re anxious, short-tempered, frustrated, and discouraged with our impatience.

Thank you for the blessing of unlimited grace.

Amen.