P is for . . .

I wrote an article this weekend on Peace. Hummingbird pictures - so cool. But that is not what I chose for my letter P article this week.

I've chosen the virtue of Patience.

I know this isn't always a favorite topic, so I'll hurry and get to the point. Wait, on second thought, I think I'll take my time . . .

Dr. Seuss, in his book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go," admonished against staying in "the waiting
place." That was not a place that we wanted to be. According to the story-poet, the waiting place is no place to be:

Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting. 

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.

While this makes for a great story, sometimes a wait is the very state in which I need to be for a while. It's not pleasant, nor peaceful, nor comfortable, and yet it is where I stand right now in many areas of my life.

• I've a list of things I need to do both personally, for my home and kids, as well as professionally, but I'm waiting for the Lord to give my sweet hubby some income security.
• I've a deep desire to get involved in a Ladies' group, maybe a book club or Bible study, but until we know where we will land, I hesitate to join anything.
• My novel is nearing the end of its final revision/edit. I've waited to shop it until I'd gotten it to this point, so I'm almost out of this waiting place. That's a scary thought, though!

So I am in a waiting place. God-willing I won't be here long, but while I am here, still and quiet, I'm learning things.

• I'm learning how my Father supplies my family's needs. Even our wants have been satisfied. Only my proactive need to know what's going to happen is being taxed.
• I'm learning that worry and stress are ultimately within my control. I haven't conquered it, yet, but at least I see it.
• I'm learning how the fruit that shows in people's lives is a reflection of Christ's work much better than any words spoken. (And learning that it is true for me, too!)
• I'm learning that this waiting place doesn't have to paralyze me. Just because I can't make longterm plans doesn't mean I can't effectively minister where I find the Lord working.

The Lord is actively teaching me patience through all of this, gently but insistently. I hope I learn quickly - oh, yeah, oops.

In the meantime, I hope this lesson gets easier!