But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
(Galatians 5:22-24, NIV)
She was ready. All geared up to demonstrate her moves to the teacher.
She squatted as she looked on the older girls rehearsed their steps for the last minute dance performance in a week’s time. The teacher called upon each of the five girls to repeat their movement as she combined some of their individual choreography to form a new piece of dance.
Every now and then Chrisa turned to me and whispered, “When is she ready to see mine?” I gave her the same respond every time, “Wait for a while, dear. You will get your turn.” Then gestured her to watch and continue waiting. She obediently heeded my instruction. The time ticked away. She was still waiting.
Finally, the teacher gave her a quick glance and asked, “Chrisa, are you ready now?” and Chrisa showed her moves with a little pride hidden in her shyness. Unfortunately, the teacher was still concentrating more on the older girls. I could see the little girl’s sadness that she has been overlooked. She ran back to me and voiced her disappointment. Trying not to interfere with the practice, I managed to pacify her to give it another try later when the teacher is done with the rest.
She collected herself and leaned on me for a moment for comfort.
Another chance came…she ran into the group and positioned herself in the formation. When the team was moving in accordance to their formation, she was left confused. She was lost in the commotion. Although the girls were giving her some directions, the teacher obviously didn’t include her in this upcoming dance. She dashed towards me with tears in her eyes and slumped right on me, totally upset! My heart ached with her as she did wait. She has been patiently waiting but was left clueless how to be involved. I calmed her down and wiped her tears. Personally, as I watched this last minute making of dance, I wasn’t too sure if the teacher was going to put Chrisa in as she was the only 6 year-old amongst the older ones, ages 10 and 11. I reckoned the teacher was doing some impromptu planning that she had overlooked the little one’s participation. After all, there was going to be two practices only before they perform in a week’s time. Perhaps she had given Chrisa hope without really considering her role and effort required in the creative piece.
The practice ended. Chrisa was still not in the picture of the dance. I chatted briefly with the teacher and she had thought Chrisa is too minor to catch up with the last minute plan. She realized she didn’t make it clear to the child. An explanation from the teacher pacified Chrisa. She told Chrisa that she is still part of the regular dance team and could work on future pieces. This particular one was too demanding on her due to the shortage of time.
We walked away that day recalling on a verse God has been challenging us to believe in the course of waiting - Hosea 6:3 (which I posted on Aug 18). In the car, I asked her, “Do you know you’ve learnt a great lesson today even though you may feel like you didn’t do anything at all? You waited! That’s a long time waiting for a little girl. That lesson is more important than the dance piece.” Two hours is forever for a minor. She gazed at me with a smile and was proud she passed the test of waiting. She exclaimed, “Yea, we’ve been talking so much on waiting these days in church.” She thought for a moment and knew God had taught her an important lesson – being patient.
Patience is a great virtue. It is a gem in our impatient society. Like “God” (Morgan Freeman in the movie, Evan Almighty) challenged Evan’s wife, “If you prayed for patience, do you think God will make you patient? He will give you an opportunity to be patient.” Here, Chrisa had a great opportunity to learn to be patient. Indeed she made a dance unto the Maker. She demonstrated different moves in her waiting. In her dance, there was an entirety of silence but her heart was trained. Patience was developed. And surely more room was created for further lessons.
We headed for a nice dinner of her choice to reward her patience. She sure enjoyed delayed gratification.
How many times have we waited and it seemed they are all in vain? It seemed like nothing has been achieved.
It seemed unproductive. It was meaningless.
It was tiring. It drained our energy. It muddled our vision.
Seem. Yes, it seems that way. But not the case. Most often than not, we learn many lessons in the waiting. Amongst the many, I am sure patience is one. Patience needs to be cultivated as a child of God because it is part of the fruit of the Spirit.
Are you waiting for an answer from God? Does it drive you nuts in the silence of waiting?
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:14). Our waiting on him always guarantees return – probably not the forms we envision but certainly heavenly blessings. Do not even think that whatever we do in the waiting is not important. God is watching and he will honour accordingly. A surprise may just be at the corner when you least expect it and you’ll enjoy delayed gratification.
Abba Father, grant me patience and give me a trusting heart knowing that my waiting on you will never be in vain. Cultivate in me this prized gem which is so lacking in our world so that others may see Christ in me. In Jesus’ name . Amen.
Showing posts with label Patience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patience. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Endless Mess
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
(Psalm 103:8, NIV)
My days are filled with cleaning. One after another. Yet the house never seem to be clean or in the “order” I classify as order.
Laundry – never seem to finish. When I thought I just cleared the laundry basket, to see it been filled again.
Dishes – quite the same too. Although the girls have been helping but I still have uncleared sink throughout the day.
What happened to spotless floor? Nay, my doctor and nurses’ friends told me to forget about clean floors once babies arrived. One even suggested I wear carpet shoes so that I will not feel the dust. The baby won't die from some dirt. But my melancholy self thought the more I have to clean up to ensure my babies have clean floor to roam around. Babies – you know they are so susceptible to illnesses. But they MESS UP ALL THE TIME.
My baby was wriggling hard to get away while I was trying to get his bum cleaned up. This is the umpteenth time for the day. I hooked him with my left arm and did a quick wash but clean enough to satisfy me. You’ll be amazed at how much energy the little one possessed. It is quite a workout for me daily. Before I could sigh a relief of getting the task done, he wriggled and crawled off. I went after him to find that he just pee on the floor! And when I finished with that, I stepped on biscuits crumbs. “That could wait…” I thought. Then the five year-old called for help in cleaning up some mess. I rushed off, stepped on a toy which squeaked back at me. I moved the toys to clear the path way. My eyes caught another pile of mess which called for attention. “Not now,” I whispered in my heart. I moved the baby to the bedroom to get him ready for nap. He protested and slipped off from my arms. His sister’s clothes’ shelf attracted him. That’s his new “play area” – simply enjoys pulling the garments off, one by one. The list can go on forever. My heart beat faster and I could feel a rush of my blood. My energy level was diminishing. I was about to sigh and give out a loud scream to God when His Spirit whispered to me, “I am also always cleaning up."
How true! God is in a cleaning business. How many times have I messed up – the words I said, my action and reaction towards people and situations, decisions made, negative thoughts, and ill feelings; and He patiently cleaned up my mess. Instead of striking a hard blow on me, He administered His dose of merciful love. Instead of saying, “Look at you again,” He helped me through without shame and guilt and gave me a clean slate.
Human race is messed up. God in His grace and mercy is cleaning us up all the time. When He is done with one area, He still has many more to deal with us. What a comfort to know He is slow to anger, otherwise we will all be wiped out from his presence!
Do you have anything which requires some divine cleaning? Acknowledge your need of the Divine Helper. Allow Him to clean you up even if it hurts. Don’t struggle and wriggle off his clutch. Stay put as He gently and patiently does the cleaning process. Sometimes it may hurt more because of the consequences we have to bear but trust in His abounding love. He doesn’t jeer but cheer us on.
Loving Father, I come…with this…...(specify your mess). Clean me up. Grant me grace to go through it and soothe where it hurts. I trust You. Thank You for being patient with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
slow to anger, abounding in love.
(Psalm 103:8, NIV)
My days are filled with cleaning. One after another. Yet the house never seem to be clean or in the “order” I classify as order.
Laundry – never seem to finish. When I thought I just cleared the laundry basket, to see it been filled again.
Dishes – quite the same too. Although the girls have been helping but I still have uncleared sink throughout the day.
What happened to spotless floor? Nay, my doctor and nurses’ friends told me to forget about clean floors once babies arrived. One even suggested I wear carpet shoes so that I will not feel the dust. The baby won't die from some dirt. But my melancholy self thought the more I have to clean up to ensure my babies have clean floor to roam around. Babies – you know they are so susceptible to illnesses. But they MESS UP ALL THE TIME.
My baby was wriggling hard to get away while I was trying to get his bum cleaned up. This is the umpteenth time for the day. I hooked him with my left arm and did a quick wash but clean enough to satisfy me. You’ll be amazed at how much energy the little one possessed. It is quite a workout for me daily. Before I could sigh a relief of getting the task done, he wriggled and crawled off. I went after him to find that he just pee on the floor! And when I finished with that, I stepped on biscuits crumbs. “That could wait…” I thought. Then the five year-old called for help in cleaning up some mess. I rushed off, stepped on a toy which squeaked back at me. I moved the toys to clear the path way. My eyes caught another pile of mess which called for attention. “Not now,” I whispered in my heart. I moved the baby to the bedroom to get him ready for nap. He protested and slipped off from my arms. His sister’s clothes’ shelf attracted him. That’s his new “play area” – simply enjoys pulling the garments off, one by one. The list can go on forever. My heart beat faster and I could feel a rush of my blood. My energy level was diminishing. I was about to sigh and give out a loud scream to God when His Spirit whispered to me, “I am also always cleaning up."
How true! God is in a cleaning business. How many times have I messed up – the words I said, my action and reaction towards people and situations, decisions made, negative thoughts, and ill feelings; and He patiently cleaned up my mess. Instead of striking a hard blow on me, He administered His dose of merciful love. Instead of saying, “Look at you again,” He helped me through without shame and guilt and gave me a clean slate.
Human race is messed up. God in His grace and mercy is cleaning us up all the time. When He is done with one area, He still has many more to deal with us. What a comfort to know He is slow to anger, otherwise we will all be wiped out from his presence!
Do you have anything which requires some divine cleaning? Acknowledge your need of the Divine Helper. Allow Him to clean you up even if it hurts. Don’t struggle and wriggle off his clutch. Stay put as He gently and patiently does the cleaning process. Sometimes it may hurt more because of the consequences we have to bear but trust in His abounding love. He doesn’t jeer but cheer us on.
Loving Father, I come…with this…...(specify your mess). Clean me up. Grant me grace to go through it and soothe where it hurts. I trust You. Thank You for being patient with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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