The Virtue of Patience

The Virtue of Patience

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         Did you ever wish that you could become more patient?  How many times do situations occur that turn sour?  When that happens, words come from our mouth expressing anger and aggravation.  Thoughts come into our minds about the frustrations we are experiencing.  Our thoughts may include, “Is this God’s will?”  Maybe, it is; maybe it is not.  So how exactly do we become more patient?  As for me and each of us, I ask God for assistance in these matters.

         For example, this morning, I thought that I would eat breakfast after my morning chores.  That started with going to the post office.  When I arrived, that branch of the post office was closed, so I had to get to a different branch.  When I arrived there, the line was long.  I was there about thirty minutes and resolved two transactions.  While waiting, I was becoming more frustrated until I counted my blessing that the air conditioning was working.  After leaving the post office and thinking to myself that situations will be more stress free, I proceeded to the main road.  At the main road I missed the signal light and again tensions began to build.  I looked to my right and found the reason for the traffic problems.  Mama and Papa Goose were taking their brood of goslings across a busy forty- mile per hour roadway.  The little ones were such cute youngsters that they melted my heart, anger, impatience, and frustrations that I had developed during my travels. Was God speaking to me through these Canadian geese?  I believe that He was.  I am reminded of the Scripture Passage of how God cares for all the birds and flowers.  His one comment still rings in my ear.  Are not we humans more important than those? 

         The power of God is infinite and I am sure that He could have used a more spectacular way to make me more patient.  Instead, He used my love of all animals to slow me down, touch the morning, and brighten my day.  God uses the simple things of nature to bring us to our senses.  I finished the balance of my other chores in rapid succession.  Instead of chores, they became joys.  So if you are going through trials and tribulations of daily life with anger, aggravation, and frustrations, always remember that the Father loves all of us even the little birds.  We are all his creation.  Our job is to focus on the simple and natural things of life.  When we do that, we will see God in nature and humanity, lose our hostilities to all events in life, become more patient, and show all people the love, mercy, and intelligence of God.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Praise be to God.  See you in Paradise. Amen.