"Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable." ~Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Patience", Ensign, Oct. 1980, 28
Years ago, we had an old vinyl LP called "Music Machine" that our kids loved. I think Mark bought it from a door-to-door born-again hippie Christian [yes, really] and I remember being pretty mad at him for spending money on something as stupid as that [in my mind, anyhow] when we could barely afford food for our family. But I was surprised by how much we loved it and I have since tracked down the CD and have gotten a kick out of listening to the songs again.
But I digress. What does that have to do with the Maxwell quote? Well, there's a song on the CD entitled "Have Patience" that's sung by a snail named Herbert. That's where the quote took me.
Having patience isn't easy but I loved looking at it in the way that Elder Maxwell does -- that if I am impatient, I'm trying to tell the Lord that I know better than He does. And that's one thing I'm sure of -- He always knows better than I do.
So I will try to have patience, just like Herbert.
8 comments:
You posted this just for me. I needed that so very much! I am not a patience person. I have tried in vain to be more patient. I needed this new way at looking at patience. Thank you!
You don't know how many times I have read and re-read that article. It really keeps me in check. Also, very comforting to know that I'm not the only one out there...ya know?
My parents bought me that album too- door to door, the agape kids or something- WE STILL SING- have patience, have patience don't be in such a hurry--- now i'm going to have to find the cd- you rock Jan!
patience is definitely one of the main things we have to learn and work on in this life-especially me!
I never had thought of it in that way. This has really hit home. Way to go, Jan. Now I have to work on being more like Herbert..and I haven't even heard the song!
Jan, you are still my teacher. :) I seem to be queen of impatience this week (or longer). I even get mad at things that fall out of my overstuffed arms and think, "I told you to stay!". Yikes.
I love your quote and need patience from others even more than I need to show it to my loved ones, and things falling out of my hands. :)
have patience! have patience! i do love that song. and how mad it makes my kids when i sing it to them...well, maya, anyway! that quote jumped out at me, too. good stuff!
I have ZERO patience. ZERO.
Working on it though....
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