Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. (NIV)

New life has finally come to where we live. The grass has grown green, and the forsythia bush has bloomed, with its bright yellow-coloured flowers.

As I observed all the signs of new life, I also noted the numerous birds gathering in our backyard. Each time I saw a colourful bird, I thought I might try to catch one or two — on film.

A little while later, I had to think differently, for every time I went to get the camera, and came back to my vantage point, the birds had all disappeared. I would sit and wait somewhat impatiently for a bird, any bird, to perch where I might catch that elusive shot.

Eventually, I set down the camera just out of my reach, and then, there was the perfect picture! If only I had had a little more patience! I could have recorded that picture to view in later times, and share it with others.

How often do we lose out on something beautiful or simple because we lack patience? God has given us the gift of patience through the fruit of the Spirit. Not using this gift can cause us to lose out on many things that we would love to capture for another time.

If only we could learn to be more patient! Think of all the other benefits we could appreciate in love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

God-given patience will act like a hinge in the middle to provide a life made better through the love of God. Attempting the picture I never took gives an example of lost patience that produced nothing.

Let us all strive to be more patient in all we attempt to do.

Prayer: Dear Lord, grant us patience, so that we might enjoy things that would otherwise be lost forever. Help us to enjoy time well-spent with that which we could gain through You in patience. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Anne Russell <annerussell80@gmail.com>
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
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