07-31-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 31, 2023
​Guest Writer: Rev. Paula Gembala
Have you ever asked God for patience?  I know I have, and if I am being honest, I would say I ask many times each month.  I was on the phone with a friend one day who was having an extremely stressful time.  She got upset with her husband who was doing something he shouldn’t have been, considering his age.  She started fussing at him, not loud mind you but fussing all the same.  Along comes their 5 year old grandson and says to her, “Grandma, just take a deep breath, it will all be okay!”

Sometimes I believe children “get it” more than we realize!  We think they aren’t paying attention to what is going on, however they really are.  Their little minds are taking it all in, and before we know it, they are repeating a very valuable lesson with us!

Do we show patience with God?  Perhaps we want an answer to our prayers right now, not wanting to be patient and wait for an answer from God.  Instead of just lifting up our prayers, we need to be still for a while and listen to see what He wants to tell us.  Otherwise, we might be missing some very insightful lessons.  

​God of all patience, remind us to take time to sit with you so that we might hear what you have to say to us.  Help us to be patient not only with you, but with others around us as well.  We live in a world that runs on a fast pace.  Help us to slow down so we can grasp the patience you offer us.  Let us be in the moment with one another.  This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.