Patience. It’s one of those words that none of us likes to hear. I remember a sermon one of our Pastor’s peaches about patience. And the congregations response was, “uggggh”. Why? Because we know that in order to learn this skill it meant something would happen to let is practice it. Yeah, someone would cut us off in traffic, or cut in line, or maybe we would just run into one of those “sandpaper” people. And we would get to use that fruit of patience.

Patience: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

I think in order to be patient we have to be willing to wait. With a good attitude. That’s not always easy. I admit it. 

And if you have kids, you really get to practice your patience. As mom’s we tend to care for our family first. This is good, but as a mom, we practice our patience every day. Just today getting out of the High School lot after school ended was like taking your life in your hands! Patience Ms. D – get it out now! I grumbled, I admit it.

I think in order to be patient I have to put others before myself. Be willing to wait my turn. Be willing to let others shine instead of taking the credit, be willing no to get the praise from men, but from God. 

I came across this picture on Pinterest and it struck me. We always hear “die to self” but what in the world does that mean? Seriously, I think I need the “Dummies Guide to Christian Language” sometimes. I wasn’t raised in church and I don’t always know how to apply these things. A light bulb went off when I saw this. 

 Give yourself some credit my friends, and so will I. Any parent I know does this daily. And any single parent does it twice as much. I know, I have been there.

My Challenge to You –

Help a Single Mom this Mother’s Day. Give her a gift card, take her out, babysit her kids, bring her a gas card or some groceries, bring her a bottle of wine, whatever. Let’s spread the joy, and be the blessing. It is so hard when you have to raise kids on your own. And it’s not just the money. It’s the loneliness, the brokenness, and all the stuff that comes with having to be both parents while you try to keep your sanity.