Isn't it funny how much I need to hear those words too? Compared to a two-month old I am the queen of patience, but when compared to Christ I am pitiful. Yes, I do not cry when I'm hungry or bored, but I complain when things are uncomfortable and stretch me. How many times a day do I plead with the Lord to take away some trial I am going through or question His timing and guidance in my life? Is that any different that my precious child? Not really.
So yes, patience is a learned virtue, but more than that, it is a virtue that can never be mastered. I will not wake up one day and say, "Sweet! Today I am patient and will never have to work on that fruit of the Spirit anymore." By definition, patience can only reveal itself when you are tested. Just like silver, it is produced by fire. Life itself provides ample seasons to grow patience.
I'm learning that the secret is to allow the Lord to work in me as I walk through the difficulty. Instead of asking Him to take this decision away, to resolve this situation quickly or complaining that this trial is lasting too long, I should choose to sit in whatever He has allowed me to walk through and ask Him to refine me. As I read in a devotional recently, "Do not resist or run from the difficulties in your life. These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that God allows in your life, trusting Him to bring good out of them. View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on Him."
As I continue this parenting adventure, I am trying to remember to "consider it pure joy" when I face trials knowing that He is perfecting my character, growing my patience and increasing my dependence on Him. My hope for Caleb is that as he watches how I react to hard situations, he too will see trials this way and be one step ahead of me in his patience growth when he is my age. But for now, I will continue to remind Caleb that as he waits for the rest of his meal, will not die from hunger in the 30 seconds it takes for him to burp. :)
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." - Colossians 3:12
