I went to the local Harris Teeter, prepared to be unable to find the normal "snow storm basics" - bread and milk ..... nope! The bread and milk were available.
BUT NO BANANAS! ... Seriously?!?
Unless all you Huntersville friends need to make your shakeology banana muffins (cough cough like I'd LIKE to, but can't!) why in the world were bananas flying off the shelf?!?
Although I'm 30 (Wow, still weird to type that one!) I still struggle with patience in a snow storm. I lose my patience with the traffic in the days ahead as we southerners frantically prepare. Apparently this storm, I lose patience with everyone who bought my bananas .... I lose patience with the weatherman for not making it snow sooner, and lose patience with my husband when he announces the end of our snowfall! (Another story for another time, but my husband takes on a second career as a weatherman during snow storms .... seriously we are both OBSESSED WITH SNOW!)
But, it got me thinking today .... what or who do you lose patience with?!
I've started a Bible Challenge with my neighborhood Bible Study ladies, and today we focused on 1 Corinthians 13:3 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
As I prayerfully reflected on this verse - the Holy Spirit really laid a hard truth on my heart ....
I have ZERO patience with GOD!
I "blame" Him for dumb things like, not enough snow .... but I also blame Him when my prayers aren't answered the way I feel they should be, or in the timing that I feel they should be answered.
I lose patience and grumble through my prayers like a two year old throwing a tantrum sometimes.
How do you patiently seek your Heavenly Father?
Well, it comes down to the fact that I really need to have patience with myself. I want a bright, vibrant, always connected relationship with Jesus. I'm really getting there .... but man, there are just some days!
Today though, I've realized,
I need to be patient in seeking.
I treat my Bible like a magical lamp sometimes. I feel as if, when opening the pages of this book, a genie should pop out, and give me the answers that I'm looking for instantly!
God isn't always loud. (On more than one occasion He's had to be a little loud with me ... oops!)
But His answers are often quiet,
His peace is not of this world,
so sometimes I don't recognize it.
BUT IT'S ALWAYS THERE!
Right before Jesus died, He was with His disciples and said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
I don't know about you, but I weigh God's answers and gifts on an earthly scale.
I pray for peace over a situation. And when I get subtle peace that's immediately followed by stress from rush hour traffic, I tend to blame Him for not really being with me, for not helping me.
But wait ..... Duh! I'm the one who blocked out the peace by screaming at poor cars -
His peace never left me, I chose not to feel it.
God gives us peace, He answers our call, but He doesn't do so the way the world does. The peace and the understanding that comes from Him is not of this world - so many times we fail to see it, fail to understand.
So what do we do about it? Well, next week I'm going to be discussing prayer. Tips and tricks that work for me, and also hope to share some of yours as well.
So for now, stay cozy and warm, safe from the winter storm, get out and play in it with friends! Toast this beautiful gift from God with your favorite glass of vino, and celebrate this beautiful, crazy life!
Love and Blessings!
Christine
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