Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Beth Cutliffe

Patience

“Patience is a form of wisdom. It demonstrates that we understand and accept the fact that sometimes things must unfold in their own time.”

-Jon Kabat-Zinn

In a world where we are so accustomed to instant gratification, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us all to slow down and wait. We had to wait while scientists worked to determine a cause. We had to wait while doctors worked to develop treatments. We had to wait while local, national, and global leaders formulated plans to slow the spread. We had to wait for the development, approval and distribution of a vaccine. It is now more than a year later and we are still waiting. Now we anxiously await the world’s return to “normal” (whatever that is). Now, more than ever, we need patience to not rush toward that normalcy. Now, more than ever, we need to trust and accept that everything will unfold exactly as it is supposed to, when it is supposed to. I found this prayer while researching the subject of patience and it has been helpful to me:

“Lord, we live in a culture that wants everything and wants it yesterday. Help us break free from this way of living. Help us be counterculture. Today, we ask You to replace our restlessness with patience, contentment, and peace. We release whatever we’re feeling impatient about into Your hands and trust that Your timing is perfect. We turn away from selfish striving to embrace simply abiding in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

-Lauren Gaskill