"Gabriel, please come here," I call out from my room. "Mommy needs to put your shoes on you, so we can get out the door."
There is silence as I pause and listen across the hall to his room for any sign that he heard this request and intends to comply with it.
And then, with voice slightly raised, I try again, "Gabriel, COME here please."
Further silence.
And then, "GABRIEL Curtis Evans, COME H......" and I hear the padding of his little bare feet trotting across his room and into mine. And the crinkling sound that his little diaper makes as he runs, matches the crinkling of his eyes and mouth from his satisfied grin....and he appears at my doorway.
"What," he states...not questions. He knows full well what I was after, anyway. :)
Deep breath....think patience, Mel.
I know patient people. I admire them. My husband Shawn amazes me with his calm and cool nature. He has this......ability.....a gift, really.....to let things roll off, and go with the flow. One of my goals is to be "patient like Shawn," or even a few steps toward more "patient like Shawn." I don't think it's in me to ever be as patient as him.
I've always kind-of been aware of my impatience, but there is nothing quite like parenthood to give you plenty of opportunities to exercise it! I'm aware of it now more than ever. And as I've thought about it, I see it not just in dealing with my kids, but interspersed in many little scenarios in my life. I feel it when my mom asks me to repeat something I've said (oh how it has always annoyed me to repeat myself); nevermind that I probably mumbled when I said it the first time. I feel it when I ask Tessaira to bring me a green and white tube of hair product from under the sink, and she comes back with a purple spray bottle from on top of the sink and says "this?" (honestly this made me laugh more than it annoyed me). I feel Impatience oozing her way in to my speech at work sometimes when dealing with coworkers. It drips off of my words so frequently...too frequently. Sheesh, I remember times where I even told Shawn something about a gift I was getting him, because I didn't want to wait to tell him about it!
I know this needs to change. I consider it one of my current, biggest faults.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Colossians 3:12-13 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
I want to give up impatience for Lent....can that work? :) In all seriousness, I am, and intend to continue this battle. If admitting you have a problem is the first step...then.....well, at least I've made one step. Bottom line, work with me as I work on this; if you're the praying type, please pray for me with regard to this. I'm sure I'm going to continue to have plenty more opportunities to exercise my patience muscles.....especially if Gabriel has anything to do with it. :)
