Patience

Just last week, I was asked what I thought were my strong traits.  Patience is the first thing that popped into my head.  I expounded on my ability to wait out situations.  I really hyped myself up the more that I discussed it.  Yup…that’s me…patient Patty.  And then……life happened.  I had to confront some uncomfortable truths.

Not too long ago, there was a viral video challenge going around.  Parents would secretly record their children.  They would place a bowl of candy or treats in front of them.  The parent would promise the child that they could have the candy, but they just had to wait for a moment.  The parent would make an excuse to leave.  The child would be left all alone with a bowl of delectable treats within their grasp.  Well, at least they thought that they were alone.  The camera would be there recording how they handled the temptation.

My favorite video features Kylie Jenner’s daughter, Stormi.  Stormi is two-years old and absolutely adorable.  If I were a betting woman, and I am, my bet was that Stormi would demolish that candy as soon as her mother left the room.  Initially, Stormi is entranced by a television show.  Then, she remembers the candy.  She puts her face close to the bowl and smiles.  Just as quickly, she straightens her body and sings “patience, patience” with a smile on her face.  She remains that way until her mother returns and gives her the candy that was promised to her.  I would have lost the bet.

The truth is that my assumption that she would take the candy had very little to do with Stormi personally and everything to do with her age.  She’s only two years old.  Self-control is difficult for sixty-two year olds, so in my mind there was little chance that Stormi would beat the odds.  If she took that candy, nobody would fault her because she’s just a kid.

The uncomfortable truth that I had to face is that I’m not a kid anymore.  I’ve been saved for way too long to give in to every temptation that is placed within my grasp.  I’m the queen of being nice/nasty and putting someone in their place without cursing them out.  When faced with a situation that pulled at the very core of my nastiness, I had to tap out and say, “Not today.”  “Patience, patience” had to become my motto because I had to wait for God to supply the right words.

Unlike Stormi, I wasn’t rocking contentedly with a smile on my face.  I was pacing the floor.  I was writing and erasing.  I was talking it out.  And finally, I got to the peaceful part.  If a two-year-old can wait for a promised reward, why can’t I?  With all that being said, I will still say that patience is a strength of mine.  We only get stronger when our muscles are stretched and torn.  The torn fibers of the muscles heal and create bigger muscle.  People constantly test my patience.  They stretch it and tear it.  I give it to God, and He heals it.  He makes me stronger.  #wepreach