Love Is Patient

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 242: Today, I am grateful love is patient.

"We all like to say love is patient, until it requires us to be patient." - Jon Bloom

Such a simple gratitude, but it holds deep waters of truth. Real love... true love... must exhibit patience over and over again.

"Love is patient and kind;"-1 Corinthians 3:4a

This goes beyond raising children and marriage. For example:
A gardener is patient with plants.
A chef shows patience in the kitchen.
An artist is patient with the canvas.
A woodworker is patient with the wood.
An carpenter is patient with the process.
A writer is patient with the pen.
A farmer must be patient for the harvest.
A teacher must be patient with every learner.
A parent is patient with potty training.
A spouse patiently pours love on long days.

Are we not instructed to "do all things with love?" Then to do all things with patience follows suit. Solomon writes:

"Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." -Ecclesiastes 7:8

Patience without love is not real patience.

We have a big picture God who is deeply invested in each chapter of our lives. His heart is for us to seek his face. He longs to help guide and write our story. Human wants... natural instincts... coveting can confuse us. Acting with patience is often an intelligent, calculated choice. Patience can look like a superhuman power, as perhaps it is. It flows from the heart of God. 

I am grateful when when people love me with patience. 
I need to be more intentional in choosing patience.
When achieved... a great by product... is a sense of calm.

Patience can be grown artfully, with practice. A stronger love results. Patience grows a love with deep roots that can stand time, tests and storms. 

Patience says... "I will wait. I am with you. I will help you. I am cheering you on to the finish line."

Perhaps, a good dose of patience is as good as fresh flowers. 

Today, I am grateful love is patient.