I really enjoy listening to an audio reading of 1 Corinthians 13. It is such a soothing passage about how people should act toward others. We hear it read at many weddings, even royal weddings. I hope Prince William and Kate, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will take the scripture reading from their fairy tale
wedding, and put it into action. The “Love” chapter should not be reserved only for weddings. It is wonderful guide for all of us.
One of the characteristics of love is patience, also called longsuffering. There are a few people we know who are patient (it is a virtue, you know), and there are all of the others of us. It is difficult to be patient, to wait. Patience is a foundation for other moral qualities and it leads to genuine happiness. Love and patience are both fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5; they are linked.
Two friends come to my mind who have been especially patient during their lives, in both cases there were extreme tests of their love and their character. The trials these two individuals endured involved people they loved; one a very self-willed child, the other an alcoholic husband. From the outside looking in, one would think the patient persons have certainly endured more than their shares of difficulties and tribulation. These were cases that tested Jesus’ directive to forgive your brother not just seven times, but seventy times seven. There are not happy endings for my two friends, but they have both influenced me, encouraged me, were examples to me! If my friends do not have happiness here on earth, they certainly will enjoy the rest provided for them in Heaven. Patience is really a virtue to be desired.
Dear Lord, Help me to be patient, and to encourage others to follow your ways.
Sherilyn Svien
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