Patience

"Patience is the quiet endurance of what we cannot but wish removed." I read that sentence tonight as I was reading and studying the scripture from last week's Sunday School lesson in Romans 5.

"...we also exult in our tribulations..."
"...we glory in tribulations..."
"...we glory in afflictions..."



"We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us,  and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.

  In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"  (Romans 5:3-5 from The Message) 

I have joked  that it is dangerous to pray for patience, but I have prayed for it many times.   Perhaps as a nation of people, (many who claim the Name of Jesus as Lord and Savior), we are learning to quietly endure.  Can our culture of  people simply put aside personal agendas and do what is best for the whole? 

What am I enduring in this time of confinement? 
Can I say with Paul, that I exult in this tribulation?
Am I really alert for what God will do next?
Do I feel shortchanged or cheated?

Do I trust God enough to live this new way for just another 30 days?

If I can't trust Him for that, how could I possibly trust Him with my eternity? 

Content

I enjoyed my leisurely morning coffee, no pressing timeline to meet.  No store to open, no appointment to meet.

 I decided yesterday in my quiet time that I needed to get this house in a bit more order.  Again, I don't have a timeline, so I did not approach it as I usually do, having what I call a 'throwing away party'.  I chose a couple tasks that needed to be done and began.

First, I went thru the clutter on the kitchen table, ( I know I'm probably the only one that has clutter on the kitchen table right?)  Earlier in the morning, I had a text chat with a friend who said she had gotten all her cabinets cleaned out.  Knowing her as I do, I doubt that was a very big job, certainly not like what I'm about to tackle!

I chose one cabinet and began dragging it all down to the counter.  I had recipes on top of recipes!  I found some jewels, handwritten ones from my mother and grandmother, a few from clients who have long gone on.  I found even more that I had poked up there thinking I might want to try that some day.  I chose a few to keep, but the majority of them are in the trash.  You’d think we were prepared for Christmas morning with all the batteries I found.

  BEFORE 

  AFTER 

That one spot is in order, at least for a while....



I turn my mind purposely to what God might have for me today, I question myself about what it is that brings me a sense of being content.

A cabinet being rid of years of clutter? A  full belly?  (I've sure got that with all the baking I've done these past few days....as well as a wider waist and fuller hip!)

I remember the Apostle Paul writing to people about his having learned to be content.  We repeat his familiar words often, "I can do all things thru Him who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13 NASB)

Before he wrote those words, he said "...I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." (verses 11 and 12)


I am not a rich woman by most standards.  Our home is very modest, my vehicle is nice, but not fancy and not new.  I have worked all of my adult life.  I've not had a tremendous amount of money, but always enough to buy what I wanted, within reason....even some luxuries.  I haven't lived from paycheck to paycheck in a long time, but I appreciate what that is like.

Right now, the cash flow has pretty much stalled out, not just for me, but for thousands.  What I spend this week will not be replaced next week. So I must learn how to be content in humble means rather than prosperity.

As I considered all this today, I found it interesting how content I am.  It is early, this may last long enough to make me feel otherwise.  But whatever lies ahead, I purpose to be content with it and know that I can indeed do all things, thru Him who gives me strength and peace that passes all understanding.  (Phillipians 4:7 NIV)

Order

Our son and his wife live next door.  Today, they walked across to our patio and visited with us for a while.  (We kept our social distance of 6 feet for the most part.)

Carissa is carrying our next grand-baby girl in September.She worked in the hospital on a floor with respiratory patients until a few days ago.  Her OB doctor told her to take leave and go home. The current threat from the Covid-19 virus puts her at risk.

She shared with me today that she had been doing a lot of cleaning.  There's the baby's room to make ready, and all the household chores that we all never seem to get caught up on.  There is a lot to be put in order.

After they left, I sat for a while and thought about all the things I need to put in order.  So far since this quarantine, I've done precious little besides cook and eat!  I need to make it my purpose to get some of those things accomplished.  There are plenty things to get in order.

I've heard a lot about how this "Stay At Home" thing has altered our lives for the better.  We have to stay in our homes with each other, without activities and busyness to distract us from dealing with one another! (Perhaps some relationships are being put in order.)

There looms a threat that has always been there....death.

This unseen enemy we are calling Covid-19 is just one avenue to our inevitable end.  Death.


Whether we live to die of old age, our body just exhausting itself and quitting, or whether it is suddenly in an accident caused by someone else's recklessness, or a myriad of other scenarios....death will come.  Our house should be in order.


"In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet... came to him and said ..."Thus says the LORD, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'" (2 Kings 20:1 NASB)

Hezekiah was 29 years old.  He had been king for some 14 years.  He knew that one day, he would die.  He just wasn't expecting it to come now.  There was no proper heir to his throne, so there were a lot of ends that would be loose.  He had been a good king, better than most.  He had been thru a lot, but there was more threats to the kingdom, more work to be done.

Why now?

But Hezekiah didn't ask that.  He didn't even ask specifically to be healed. He just asked God to remember how hard he had tried.  His heart was completely devoted and committed to obedience.  No personal agenda, no self-righteousness.

"Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly" (2 Kings 20:3 NASB)

Incredible.  And God granted Hezekiah fifteen more years. 


The news on every front cries out about the threat our globe faces.  People are sick and dying.  Not just in one town, or one state, or even in one country.  The entire world feels the breath of death from this virus. 

I wonder if I am the only one that has heard the whisper, "Set your house in order". 

Oh, I don't mean I think I am going to get this virus and die, (though I could).  I'm not paranoid about it, but I am trying to be wise and cooperative.  And it is a definite reminder... my house should be in order.  My affairs should be organized and easily accessed.  But above that, my spiritual house should be in order.

What have I allowed to be a priority that should not be?
What have I placed faith in, rather than in God?
What do I value?
What do I miss in this isolation?

I have purposely looked for God's blessing. 

I have plenty food. (And toilet paper!!)
I have no huge debt to fret about now that my income is halted.
I have ways to connect and communicate with anyone, anywhere.

The most profound thing I am witnessing God doing, is bringing His people, who are called by His Name, out from among the masses.  The buildings are empty, but God's people are being gathered and united.

Still Pause

I locked up my place of business yesterday.  Today begins a time of quarantine.

The past week was optional.  Officials had urged what has been called social distancing’ and staying away from groups of ten or more people.  I didn’t work much  last week.  It was a choice.

Then the Bowie County judge made it a little less of a choice with his official order.

What is God up to?  I don’t know if he sent this pestilence or not, but it is here, and He is God.  He certainly could forbid it with a simple Word.

I remember again that Job never knew what was in play.  I do.... I’ve read Job’s story so many times!

God is always aware and always present, so He is in this with me.  And with you.  What would He have to happen in our lives since the “Still-Pause”  button has been pushed for so many of us?

I don’t want to miss anything.  Do you?