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Monday, December 10, 2012

12.9.12 Patience is a virtue


Bountiful Blessings

December 9th, 2012

Good morning! How are you on this blessed day? Everything is good here. Had ACT yesterday. We had a class full of seventh graders. My favorite. They are always so polite and well mannered. Rarely do we experience any problems with the Duke students. You can always tell it’s a Duke day when the hallways are full of Moms and Dads. I remember when Summer took it in seventh grade. She went to UAB for the test. We pulled up down there, she opened the door and hopped out. I was like, are you sure that you do not want me to walk you in? I got the eye roll and the “mommmmmm…. I will be fine” and then she was gone. Sigh. Ok, regroup, Terri, …went down memory lane there for a minute.

Summer and I left ACT yesterday and visited a soda fountain in Mt Laurel for lunch. 280 traffic was heavy, heavy, heavy.  And people acted like they have lost their ever loving minds. Traffic rules no longer apply. Go when you want. Stop when you want. Its like bumper cars. Scary. So you finally maneuver through the traffic and pull in the parking lot. Ok, there is a space. Wait, what just happened? Where did that car come from? Ohhhh, the temper is rising. You settle down. Hey, I can walk, no biggie. Get in the store. Some people are so nice – smiling, saying hello. But the other ones. Yes, you know the ones. The ones that would sooner roll you over with their cart as to scoot ½ foot out of the way. The ones who jump in the next open lane from the back of the line when others have been standing in the line for, what seems like forever. Yep those. You know who I am talking about. Hopefully, you are not one of them. The person that seems to think his or her time is more valuable than anyone elses. Gotta get there first. Driving up the side of the road. Pulling to the very front of the right turn only lane to jump in front of everyone. Snatching the space from someone who has been waiting for the person to pull out. Ugh. I do not like those people. But you know what? It teaches me a valuable skill. Patience.  Patience Lesson - I learn that anger is not a viable option. I mean, whats the point of getting mad? Doesn’t solve anything.  Patience  Lesson -  I would rather take my time and arrive safely. Not going to risk my life playing chicken with you on the road. Patience Lesson - a little time in line gives me “thinking time”, a time to regroup, a time to plan ahead. Sometimes I even meet nice people while I am waiting. Lets look at Black Friday. There was a small fight in the store we were in. Really? Really? You are going to fight over saving a few dollars? People, get a grip. NOT WORTH IT. Patience.  Easier said? Oh absolutely. But a valuable skill for Christmas shopping, for kids, for in-laws, for work, for well, everything.

I am trying to do better (again). Always a struggle for me but the Lord picks me up when I stumble and puts me back on my feet again. I am taking baby steps to become a better person. Last week – no more chocolate. This week – no more cursing.  Baby steps. And yes, you caught on to my reference. Patience. I have to be patient with myself. Realize that I am not going to immediately transform into the person I want to be. Patience.  How are you in the patience area?  Hmmm….. I see some of you are looking a little guilty… Haha. Baby steps. J

Bible verse for the week:
Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:7-9

Prayer for the week:

Dear Lord,

I am guilty. Guilty of wanting everything on my time. Guilty of rushing through my life. Guilty of working for the weekends. O’ Lord, please help me. Where I am weak, you are strong. Where I am impatient, you are infinitely patient.  I need your guidance.  I want to be a better person but I struggle. Please share your lessons with me. Teach me to be more patient. Teach me to be more forgiving. Teach me to appreciate my time here on Earth. Dear Lord, with you all things are possible, even bettering a person like me. Thank you, Lord, for my many blessings and more importantly, for your patience with me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Bible fun for the week:

1.      What is the name of the second book in the Bible?

2.      The name of God is not mentioned in only one book of the Bible. Which one?

3.      On which day did God create animals?

4.      What did the lords of the philistines offer Delilah for revealing the secret of Samson's strength?

5.      What was the last plague on Egypt?

6.      What king of Judah was stricken with leprosy?

7.      Who built the first altar?

8.      When Jacob wanted to marry Rachel, what did he have to do?

9.      Who ate honey out of a lion's carcass?

10. What famous city did Nebuchadnezzar rule?

 

 

Answers:

Exodus, Esther, sixth day, 1100 pieces of silver, the death of the firstborn, Uzziah, Noah, be a servant to Laban for 14 years, Samson, Babylon

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