I started out this morning craving a cup of coffee. I opened my trusty coffee can to find a teaspoon-size amount left in the bottom. As panic set in, I remembered that bag of coffee beans I received from a friend. For months it's been on top of my fridge waiting patiently for me to open it, grind it, and enjoy it. Yet now, when I need it, it's MIA. Why? How? How heartless would a person have to be to steal my coffee?
I searched in the highest of heights getting out my trusty step ladder to pillage through upper cabinets. I got on my hands and knees and searched the lower cabinets. Nothing.
The world is a cold, cruel place at 8:30 in the morning.
Then my printer wouldn't print. The dried-on cat food refused to release itself from my cat's bowl. And, I put a DVD in my player when a DVD was already in there. *sigh* It still works, but I had to wait for it to figure out what I'd done to it so it could reset itself.
In all, I've had quite an annoying day. But, why has it been annoying?
Because I let these little things get to me.
In Ephesians 4:2, Paul writes:
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Two-thousand years ago, the people of this world were experiencing the same issues, concerns and heartaches that we are going through today. They needed patience just as much as we do, or Paul wouldn't have written about it so often.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul again wrote:
Colossians 3:12-14
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 1: 11-12
11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
And, in Galatians 5...
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Now, let's journey back to the Old Testament...
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) 11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
It is to His glory. When we react as children of God, we show the world Christ's true nature. One of love, understanding, gentleness, patience and hope. So, today, when unexplained enemies come at you and steal your coffee beans, remember to breathe, reach for the Word, and have hope in knowing that these little things are just little things. They will be soon and easily be forgotten. Yet, your reaction to them could live on for generations.
Be hopeful in the Lord and remember: Patience is a virtue.
DMM
2 comments:
Well, I don't think they had trouble putting double DVD's in the machine 2000 years ago, but they did have to contend with being thrown to the lions or stoned to death for just believing what they did.
Which is why Paul probably talked a lot about patience. They were waiting for God to move and it took awhile.
It's all about keeping things in perspective that keeps us from blowing our tops when the coffee is all gone.
Amen, sistah girl!
And, guess what! I found the coffee. It was in the fridge. Who woulda thunk it? LOL
God taught me many lessons that day. And, He is still teaching me. Praise Him!
Thanks for the comment!
Dawn :o)
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