Patience is not a virtue I have been familiar with during my lifetime. I have always wanted things done yesterday–whether it was work, things I have desired (whether they were good for me or not) or in my relationships.

When adversity came or solutions to problems didn’t come, I didn’t handle things well. That could also apply to being in the car, too. I was always in a hurry. And if I hurried, there was little doubt mistakes were going to be made on my part.

The results of my impatience were never good. My wife, Patty, can certainly attest to that and that’s part of the reason why we are not together right now.

But that’s where the Holy Spirit has really taken hold in my life lately.

He has been methodically teaching me patience, and I certainly am all the better for it. I now understand the patience that Patty has. It is one of her more Godly traits. Whether it’s on the phone with the insurance company, in her work, with me, with the kids or with her mother, God has blessed her with patience beyond measure.

I say this because my patience has really been tested lately with a variety of things. Today, I spent six hours on the phone on hold to try to resolve an important issue, and it remained unresolved. I will try again tomorrow, as I have been trying to get it resolved in the past couple of months, and I am praying that it will take much less time to get a resolution, one that is very important to me right now.

I thank you, Jesus, that you are teaching me this patience and for helping me to realize exactly what Patty goes through at times. She indeed is a special woman in many ways. I pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding to surround her every day.

“Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, is not boastful, is not self-seeking, is NOT irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. … Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 10).