Wait for it...Wait for it...

I'm not what you call a patient person. I realize that patience is a virtue but it's not a virtue that I have. I hate to admit it but I am that person that will honk the horn if I think you have waited too long once the light turns from red to green. (5 seconds is a really long time to wait in the car. I'm just saying.) It's especially difficult for me to have patience for things that don't have a due date. There's no incentive. (I can completely relate to the Israelites in Egypt grumbling about their situation for all those years because there was no time frame given.) At least if there is a deadline, I can look forward to something and I know how to prepare. If I don't see progress then I feel like I am wasting my time.

I remember when I was giving birth to Abigail. (Don't worry. I will spare you the details.) I felt like I was pushing for such a long time and nothing was happening. I was getting frustrated and kept thinking, "What's the point of this? She's not moving! It's not working!" The nurse and the doctor were trying to encourage me and I began to give up. My mom looked at me and knowingly said, "Athena, don't give up. Keep pushing!" As I continued to push I suddenly heard four magic words...I SEE THE HEAD! That's all I needed. GAME ON!! I was ready for battle. "Abigail is on her way so get ready to catch her doc!" (I didn't say that but that's how I felt.) I pushed with all my might and within minutes here comes this slimy, 8 pound, screaming baby. (When I say screaming, I mean SCREAMING.)

I know that this is something I have to change especially because God is usually not in the business of giving us the when with the what. It's like Abraham. God told him that he would have a promised son. 25 years later, here comes Isaac. Joseph had a dream he would rule over his brothers. He is appointed ruler 13 years later and then encounters them about 7 years after that. It doesn't always take that long. Mary was told she would have Jesus and that took 10 months. (Thank God pregnancy is only that long! I'm wondering if we could speed it up...Can I get a witness?)

As I was thinking about this virtue of patience, I came across the video below. This is Terri Savelle Foy. She is an author, speaker, success coach, wife, mom, lover of Jesus, etc. She went from an ordinary mundane life to a life filled with purpose and meaning. (Her website is http://www.terri.com/)

I found this video to be an encouragement to me and I hope that it encourages you as you listen.