These past three months have challenged my patience. Last October 18th, our giant 40 year old pine tree was uprooted by a nasty storm and it collapsed onto our home. Initially, being the optimist that I generally am, I figured all would be repaired by Thanksgiving. Not hardly.
Back then I wrote an article on this blog stating a truth that’s been said in many different ways by many different people: “What’s important is not what happens to you, but rather how you react to what has happened.” I went on to write about how my wife and I refused to be victims, but rather, we took the approach of being project managers on a remodel project.
I still believe we are project managers. We refuse to think or act like victims. But there have been many challenges and obstacles in this nearly three month long process. To list them all here would neither be inspiring for you to read, nor encouraging for me to write.
We Have A Date
On a more positive note, they are now finally estimating a completion date of the 22nd of this month. If that indeed comes to pass, we can then begin putting that part of our home back together, which includes moving all the pantry items from our entry way back into the pantry where they belong!
Perhaps the most challenging part is that our house is not together, like we’re used to. The dining room we eat in and a portion of the kitchen are empty. The laundry room is empty, with the freezer, washer and dryer outside. The storeroom is empty, and the patio is filled with assorted items.
But at least each night when I come home from work, as I walk in the front door, I am greeted by our kitchen table and chairs, the electric piano, and a giant shelving unit filled with yummy pantry items!
Here’s The Key
One of the biggest keys I know on staying patient is perspective. I might not be able to choose the circumstances, but I can certainly choose my perspective. For us, our perspective is the end result, not the current state of affairs: everything will get repaired and back the way it was. All of our out-of-place belongings will be put back in their rightful places.
So each day we pray. We pray for the safety of the workers. We pray for the quality of their work. We stay proactive with all that is going on.
Tempted to get frustrated? Absolutely. Happy it’s taken way longer than it should have? Absolutely not. Keeping our focus on the end results? Doing our best.
I do know that when we only see where we are at the moment, it’s tempting to get discouraged and frustrated. Doing that leaves us impatient, and peace evaporates. Ahh, back to the right perspective.
God Is Not Testing Us!
And no, a thousand times, no! I do not believe God gave us this trial so we could learn more about being patient. Life happens and when it does we have a choice. We can certainly choose to grow in our capacity to be patient.
Growing in patience is a good thing, too. God never promised He would answer our prayers the instant we finish praying. Sometimes we see that happen; other times we do not.
There are things I continue to pray about that have not come to pass. But I remain patient, consistently letting Him hear my requests. And as I keep my perspective in the right place, I will have more patience.
