Good day,

A husband and wife took off in their small private plane with the pilot husband at the controls.  They had often flown and enjoyed the opportunities to visit family and friends, and travel to other states.

About an hour into the flight, the husband was stricken with a heart attack, and slumped to the side.  His panicked wife knew enough about flying to take the controls and keep them in the air, but she needed guidance regarding landing...and called MAYDAY on the radio.  When no reply quickly came she turned the radio to another frequency and again called MAYDAY...but with no immediate response.

She kept changing frequencies seeking help…but didn’t stay on the same frequency long enough to get a reply.  Her impatience made the trouble worse.

In a similar vein two friends were walking down the street after having attended worship together.  One commented that the pastor’s sermon on patience was very good.  The friend replied, “Yes, but she went 5 minutes long.”

We are an impatient people…and it’s getting worse.  We expect instant information and communication…instant meals and service…immediate attention and action. When some younger folks fail to get a reply to a text message within a minute or two they begin to worry or get upset. Many bosses have increased their expectations of work completed...presuming that employees will get tasks done faster and faster.

We all would do well to learn to be more patient.  When we are patient we learn the lessons of the journey, not just presuming that we have to hurry to get there. Patience engenders peace of mind…and helps us learn perspective. Patience helps us to focus, not always be looking to the next thing.  And our most precious relationship are all surely improved by being more patient with each other.

The apostle Paul certainly wrote truth to the Corinthian church when he simply said…”love is patient.”

May you consciously and intentionally strive to be more patient this week…especially with the important people in your life. 

After all, don’t you want OTHER people to be more patient with YOU?