Not long ago I was on the receiving end of great patience from my wife and some of my friends. My wife and I, along with two other couples, had driven from our home state of Mississippi to Niagara Falls, Canada. After enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, all of us sat down in a restaurant that overlooked the falls. As I was enjoying a piece of prime rib a piece of meat lodged in my esophagus and created great misery for me and a time of concern for my wife and friends.
After a very long night of no sleep, we left our hotel in Ontario and crossed over the border and drove to the VA Hospital in Buffalo, New York. Going into the emergency room I was greeted by some very professional people including the receptionist, nurses, and doctors. They handled my situation with great concern and immediately took action to relieve me of my pain.
I asked the doctor how long I would be in the hospital and she said about two hours. I asked my wife to relay the message to our friends, as they were waiting in the car. All of us were anxious about driving from Niagara Falls to New York City, where we were going to board a cruise ship the next day. I wanted to exit the emergency room as soon as I could and eliminate a long waiting period for my wife and friends because of the well-planned itinerary that we were trying to stay close to.
Patience is a virtue and through this strong relationships can be built. I wouldn’t have been upset if my friends were impatient with me because I became a problem that was slowing us down. I have known these friends for many years and I felt that they wouldn’t mind me putting us two hours behind our schedule. The Bible reminds us that patience with others comes from a love and respect for other people. 1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us that love suffers long, or is patient. The verses that follow in this scripture describes how love in not selfish, prideful or rude, because it is thinking about the welfare of someone else. Love is the basis, and patience is part of that process.
In Colossians 3:12-13 Paul describes the relationship we should have with each other, including not only showing tender mercies and kindness, but bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another.
My wife has been patient with me for almost 50 years and I knew she would not abandon me or become irritated with me due to this set back. I have been close to the friends traveling with us and through this experience have become closer than ever before. My wife and friends waited on me that day for seven hours because of medications and procedures the hospital gave me and put me through. I will forever be grateful for their patience and kindness and to this day all of them say they weren’t put behind schedule because they were concerned for their friend.
Many times, we as children of God, have our patience tested when we think God is not listening to or hearing us. We know God is all-powerful and there is no trial or obstacle we face that He does not have the power to remove or help us overcome. God has promised never to leave us or forsake us but nowhere does He promise to answer all of our prayers immediately, or answer them the way we desire.
Our great and loving God knows what we each need, and in His perfect wisdom He will provide it. Just as my wife and friends had patience with me when I needed them so will God have patience with us and provide for us when we need Him.
