My boss has a little phrase she uses when the day gets hectic and she knows that challenges will arise. She always tells us to put on our "Patience Pants". The first time I heard that, I laughed out loud. It just struck me as so silly. But now it is something I tell myself silently quite often because it is such a difficult thing for me to master!
Patience. It is something I never seem to have nearly enough of. And sometimes I feel like there isn’t a bit of it in my heart, like when my husband drops his dirty clothes on the floor right next to the laundry basket. Or when a client at work makes me run late because they can’t stop chatting with the receptionist long enough to allow me to begin their services. And of course, there is the much dreaded wait in the super mart check out line while the elderly lady in front of me painstakingly counts out a wallet full of coupons. I have become adept at maintaining outward composure with a gentle smile on my face, but inside I am seething with frustration that left unchecked can quickly turn into anger.
So many things can try my patience. Being put on hold on the phone for too long, dealing with a disrespectful pre-teen, or having to remind my husband a half a dozen times to put away his tools. Some issues are minor and can be resolved fairly easily with a deep sigh and a prayer shot silently towards Heaven. Other times it is all I can do to not yell at the top of my lungs until I run out of air. My pride is wounded when I feel that I have been "put out". It is as though I have been disrespected. How dare anyone waste my time, or take my efforts for granted? Don’t I deserve better??
Wow…it’s amazing how a lack of patience can snow ball into that kind of intense bitterness. Especially when in the middle of my pity party (with a side order of anger), I have a flash of rational thought and can’t help but cringe at the ugliness of my attitude. Who am I to make such demands of others? Why do I assume that everyone will treat me with impeccable respect and deference? When will it sink in that those perspectives are faulty and sinful on my part?
If anyone has a right to lose patience, it would the Lord in dealing with me! How many times do I disrespect Him or ignore His words? How often do I drag my feet when doing something for the sake of Christ? Shouldn’t He be the one who gets annoyed, frustrated or offended? He has every reason to when dealing with His children. But being perfect and holy God, there is always love and forgiveness to be found at the feet of Jesus.
I Timothy 1:16 says, "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."
And so, when I find myself tapping my foot and frowning as I wait in line at the license branch, I must remember that "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." (Proverbs 14:29) And each morning as I pray to be clothed with the full armor of God, I smile and add a foot note to that prayer. "Lord, help me also to wear my ‘Patience Pants’ today."
