A Lesson in Patience!

Recently I was at an Urgent Care facility in assistance of someone else.  While sitting in the waiting room I observed a young boy and his father.   It appeared the young boy was the one to be treated. Almost immediately I could see the young boy was mentally handicapped.  It was quite evident that the father was a very patient parent.  At times, the boy would make unhappy outbursts and occasionally was a bit difficult to control. The boy's behavior was something any parent would be embarrassed with yet the father was incredibly patient and loving. It seemed the boy may have recognized the Urgent Care facility and was fearful.

In watching the father deal with the boy's behavior so patiently I couldn't help reflect on my own responses of the past.  I found myself thinking of times less stressful than what this father was dealing with and how I had been less patient.  Wow! Could I learn from this father. This father was living scripture as St. Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

The father hits it right out of the park beginning with the very first virtue St. Paul describes, Patience.  I observed this father in one incident that would be most embarrassing for any parent.  I can only imagine what was demonstrated so beautifully in this clinic is most likely lived out every day for him.

I started thinking about how this father is such a blessing for this boy.  But then I also started thinking about how this boy is such a blessing for his father.  God has a way of using our weaknesses to make others stronger.  In like fashion He also intends that as we interact with other’s weaknesses we should become stronger as well.  Remembering St. Paul’s description of love is certainly a good reminder to act always with love. 

Patience is one virtue that always requires me to think before speaking or acting in a non-loving way.  Waiting for someone to meet my timeline or doing something the way I think it should be done.  When I reflect on my impatience it often has to do with my wanting control or things being done my way.  My WWJD band is helping me be more sensitive to patience. 

Lord, forgive my impatience and help me to be more sensitive and loving in my response to others.  Let us all keep working on our patience and Shine Like the Son.  God bless you.