Small Steps Together - Patience

It has been a long time since I've blogged here.  Life has brought unexpected changes that have made time to reflect and write a luxury that I didn't think I could afford. I didn't have the patience to pause and I am the poorer for it.  My personality trends to impatient, I am sure you've seen me - I am the one pushing the elevator up or down button more than once.  It makes me feel better and look foolish all in one fell swoop. Right now, we are in the midst of huge hurdle for our family, I am in full fix-it mode, I can do this, I can find a solution, I am impatient and anxious, wanting solutions NOW.

Sort of like Martha - no, not that one (though I find it no coincidence that the publicly lauded maven of housekeeping is aptly named, Martha) - I am thinking about the original Martha.  Sister of Mary of Bethany who hosts Jesus and the disciples, chronicled in Luke. Martha barks orders in a great frenzy readying a feast for her guests and is generally impatient with her sister sitting at the feet of Jesus. There is work to do but getting lost in the control of the day's events, Martha almost misses the opportunity to listen to Jesus.  Her impatience with her sister is rebuked by Jesus.

"My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it - and I won't take it away from her." Luke 10:41-42

Impatience brings the "what if?" and immediately worry and fear find a place to land.  In her impatience, I think Martha worried. What if....everything isn't ready? I will have been a poor host! I will be ridiculed! What if...the Lamb isn't cooked properly - my guests will be sick or hungry, what if the servants forget the proper table setting - my guests will be offended! Oh dear, Mary - get over here!!

Mary and her patient heart had found time to reflect on Jesus.  Martha's impatience may of made her feel better for a moment but in the end she looked foolish.

When prompted by Elizabeth Foss to think about patience, I thought about the events of this year and it made me realize that much of my worry and fear stem from my impatience with God.  If I kept the lists checked off and things going smoothly, I kept the schedule similar, I kept my prayer routine, I plan for every "what if" - today might be the day of a solution. By the way, it has been 262 days and I am still waiting. My impatience is getting in the way of my trust in God.  My soul needs patience. Patience brings trust and hope, with "only one thing worth being concerned about".

Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10