Patience Is a Virtue

PATIENCE IS RIGHT BECAUSE GOD IS PATIENT.

Bible Reading of the Day: Read 1 Timothy 1:15-17.

Verse of the Day: “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:12, NIV).

“I can’t wait for Christmas!” Noah said. He sat beside his mom and his sister on the bench waiting for the city bus.

“It seems so far away,” Natalie complained. “I wish it would hurry up and get here.”

“The first gift I’m going to open is going to be my Five-Star Sound Studio,” Noah said. His eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Wait ’til you see it, Nat!”

Natalie looked up curiously at her older brother. “How do you know you’re getting a Five-Star Sound Studio?” she asked.

Mom, who had been looking for their bus, suddenly turned and looked at Noah. “Yes, Noah,” she said, “how do you know you’re getting a Five-Star Sound Studio?”

Noah’s eyes got real big. “I… I… I don’t,” he said, laughing nervously.

“I think I know,” Mom said. “You’ve been snooping around, haven’t you? And you found one of your Christmas presents that I had hidden, didn’t you?”

Noah swallowed hard. “I . . . I’m sorry, Mom,” he said. “I just couldn’t stand waiting anymore, so I thought if I just peeked, it would make it easier to wait.”

“Did it?” Mom asked.

Noah lowered his chin onto his chest. “No,” he said. “It’s been even harder.” Mom nodded. “Well, patience is a virtue, Son.” “What’s that mean?” Noah asked.

“It means patience is right. Because patience is something God values.” “Why?” Natalie asked. “Because God is patient.” “He is?” Noah said.

“Oh, yes,” Mom answered. “He waited twenty-nine years for your dad to trust Christ, and he had to wait almost as long for me!”

“I should have been more patient,” Noah said. “Now I know what I’m getting for Christmas.”

“It won’t be as much fun for you or for us,” Mom said. “Why won’t it be fun for you?” Noah asked.

“Because we won’t get to surprise you,” she answered. “So your impatience hasn’t just made your Christmas less fun, it’s made my Christmas less fun too.”

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Noah said. He looked earnestly into his mother’s face. “I’ll be more patient from now on, I promise.”

TO DISCUSS: Take turns answering the following questions: “Do you think God has been patient with you? If so, how do you know?” and “How can you be more patient?”

TO PRAY: “Patience is a virtue that’s difficult to develop. But Lord, we know you want us to be patient. Thank you for your patience with us as we seek to be patient with others.”