Passionate Patience

Beautiful isn't it? God's creation, we breath it in daily just like it's normal to have such beautiful surroundings. Like its the normal to wake up everyday, like its normal to have clean air. All these blessings we constantly take for granted. We feel entitled like all these things are rightfully ours. What a lie we live, what a gift to have all these things and overwhelming grace. It's abundant daily and we just brush it off like another day. You know when you are just anxiously awaiting something and it seems to never get here? I had a wonderful blessing last Friday. Absolutely wonderful, and instead of enjoying my blessing I just ended up complaining about all the things I didn't have. OUTRAGEOUS! How childish of me! How dare I right? Something you might not know about me but my close friends know is I'm brutally honest. I am always the kick in the pants you need. Basically quit complaining and put your dukes up kinda girl. I tell it like it is, and I am okay with that. If you aren't I am not the kinda friend you need. Let's be real, probably I am the friend you need, you're just really ready to hear it. So I'm in the middle of my pity party and my friends give me the ol' one two. Right in my face, why are you complaining speech. It felt like someone had soccer punched me, I physically felt like I needed to kneel over for a good hour. Then I took it in, That's the kind of friend I am so why wouldn't I be able to take what I deal out. Trust me I can take it, I just didn't want to. God is honest, just and true. He is always that reality check we need. You will be so humored like I was to read my scriptures for today. First we start in

James 5:7-8 "Dear Brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You too must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near."

Yup, I read this and I was" WHAT? No Lord, Not patience, Seriously?" Then I got to read this:

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold- though your faith is far more precious then mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

I have been away from home for a long time. I have been able to watch it go from winter to spring and what a beautiful experience it has been. I forgot how beautiful it is here and I am so honored I had the opportunity to come. As my time here comes to a close I am encouraged, in all God keeps doing in my walk. Even when I happen to be rather stubborn and need lots of one on one time. Prayers for you as you thrive for Christ. There is a light at the end of this tunnel for you!
S.