Patience, Chapter 26

Thank you for being patient with me! I'm sorry it's Friday already and I'm just now getting this reminder out.

The topic this week is...Patience.
I think this may be another tough topic for the young ones to understand. You KNOW your children aren't always patient. Are we there yet? How many more sleeps until...? And it's usually more than just wanting to know, they want it now. We are the same way. The new iPhone is out, gotta get it. I ordered it yesterday, why isn't it here yet? Oh yeah...you are running late for an appointment and EVERYBODY is in your way.

Our little kids book has two stories. The Old Testament story is about David, already anointed to be the next king, patiently waiting for God's timing and not taking (justified?) action against King Saul who wants him dead. The New Testament story is about the crippled man waiting by the pool at Bethesda for healing, yet unable to get into the water. These are both good examples of being patient. David exercises good patience as he waits on God's timing. We don't have much information on the crippled man's patience. If he was like me, he had good days and bad days.

As you read these stories to your children help them understand what it means to be patient, to wait calmly for something to happen. Share examples of good patience and bad patience that you have noticed in your life and then try to get them to talk about good and bad examples in their life. YOU have the opportunity to make this lesson so real to them.

God wants us to be patient and He sends the Holy Spirit to help us. When we are patient we are living the way God wants us to live. What do you do to restore patience when you are obviously struggling with it? Sarah Young in Jesus Calling frequently tells us to call out to Jesus. Just whisper His name. Jesus... That has a way of helping us get focused on the right things.

God bless you for teaching your young ones to follow Him...Jesus.
Mr. Chuck