THANKFUL THURSDAY...a lesson of patience

There are some things that can be learned by the textbook and then there are those other things that just cannot be learned except by first hand experience. PATIENCE is one of those qualities that can only be acquired by persistence, diligence and practice!

Doing a word search, I found one description of the word "PATIENCE" as "unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring." Just thinking about THAT definition of patience makes me realize that I am lacking especially during traffic jams or anything to do with driving.

Have you ever noticed how patient you can be ....except ....when it comes to other peoples driving skills?

The other day I found myself stopped at a red light. But just right ahead of the light was a train passing by, so the cars ahead of me had no other option except to sit thru the changing light. I got frustrated. So I did what every skilled driver would do...I inched my way up to the intersection and turned down another street to go a different way!

"Endurance without murmuring" ... how many times have I wasted an opportunity to learn patience. Instead of thumping my finger on the steering wheel, or thinking about how many minutes I am going to be late, could I not take a minute to give thanks to God for His patience with me?

(2 Peter 1:5-7) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Wow! Every time I read this passage I am reminded that one is leading to another. And with each stepping stone, we are being trained for a better understanding of godliness in our character. Having patience is the lesson and God is the teacher.

Today, on THANKFUL THURSDAY, I am so thankful that God does not have the same kind of patience as I do. I am so grateful that when I am slow to learn, that He does not try to turn away from me like I do in traffic. He is ever so patient with me, molding me, transforming me and loving me thru all of the lessons of life.

What are you grateful for today? Please share with us your Thankful Thursday post by linking up below. TT will be hosted here the month of January and over at Iris's in February. We are so glad to have each of you join us!