Love is Patient.

I am not patient; it is one of my flaws.

I am pessimistic; my glass is half-empty.

I jump to conclusions, and I dislike waiting.

I am not patient.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

Sigh. How often I forget these words.

It is shameful, really. My impatience and pessimism overrides the love I should be displaying and offering.

So, what does it mean when the Scripture says, “Love is patient”? How do we be patient?

I believe patience is not jumping to conclusions. Patience is waiting. Patience is giving friends the benefit of the doubt.

Patience is keeping your mouth shut and letting the other person talk.

Impatience is not worth it; all it does is hurt and cause pain.

Before you act impatiently or jump to conclusions, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. What you are seeing may not be all there is.

For the times I have forgotten to show you {you know who you are} the love and patience you deserve, I am sorry. I have allowed my impatience and pessimism to blind me to the way I should treat my friends, and for that, I am truly sorry.

I am closing comments on this post. If you have something to add or comment on, please feel free to email me: amy at amylovesit dot com.

Photo credit: laurenmarek
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8