Kindness from Patience

Love is patient and kind...that is not always easy to live is it? How do we live that out with the toxic person whom we have tried and tried to deal with and yet have failed to find a way of relating to? Sometimes it's easier to be kind to a stranger than people in our own family. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us - Romans 5

What? How can that be? Paul continued, they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

I am not a patient person by nature. I can be patient in a crisis but in dealing with people I find myself struggling when I think, "Why don't they get this?" Now is a word that is so prevalent in our vocabulary. This week we are talking about acting with patience and kindness. Sometimes there are divine interruptions in life which will slow us down. Carpei Deim (Seize the Day) is a good phrase to remember. Sometimes the time to act is now. Don't over think - act. Be patient with your appointments, your to do lists, and your agenda. Maybe God has someone in mind for you to help - to be kind toward - to lovingly assist.

Kindness always requires something else besides patience. It means risk and it requires a cost. Who in your world needs you to take that risk of exhibiting kindness and love? Will there be a cost associtated with it? I spoke to a friend who shared a story about a man he knew who was bitter about his wife leaving him. He was filled with anger and rage. His anniversary was coming up and he seethed with anger toward how this woman ruined his life and livelyhood. His friend suggested that on the anniversary he consider working at a local soup kitchen - to convert his anger into kindness and love. He did it.

After going to the soup kitchen and serving the needy his whole attitude changed. He was filled with mercy and said he would do it every year on that day. What can being patient with ourselves and others and acting out of kindness do in some of the most difficult and bitter situations of life. God does work miracles of love 365 days a year.