Love Is Patient — O, Beloved!

[4] Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [7] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (ESV)

O my Beloved Lord Jesus, You are SO very patient with us!

Lately, I’ve been continually astounded by your patience. It is amazing. It is humbling.

How do we know, beloved, our God is steadfast in His love for us?

He is patient.

We stumble and fall.
He, picks us back up again.

We yell, scream, and throw temper tantrums until we finally collapse, exhausted.
He, waits patiently, unmoved.

We shake our fist at Him, and determine we’d rather have our way than His.
He, tenderly frustrates our journey, patiently forbearing all things.

We, blinded by a lack of faith, shut up our hearts and mouths; discarding prayer.
He, causes us to stumble, and patiently waits for us to cry out to Him for safety.

We wander off, like the dim-witted sheep that we are, searching for satisfaction elsewhere.
He, calmly waits - knowing misery awaits us, for nothing is good apart from Him.

Oh Lord, Almighty and Sovereign God. Thank you for being so very patient in your love for us! May we, in turn, respond to You with patience - eagerly, yet calmly waiting for You.

One Day, when the Time is right, and proper, and good, You will restore all things, and all will Then, be made well.

O, beloved soul! Let the ever constant, perpetual, and everlasting waves of His loving patience soothe us, as we longingly await His Advent.