A Patient Patient

I needed to make an appointment to have my ears checked, so I called my ear, nose, and throat doctor. The next available appointment was a month away, and I booked it. A week before the appointment, I began getting text reminders to confirm my appointment, but each time when I attempted to reply, my texts didn't seem to go through, so I telephoned the office to confirm.

Instead of the receptionist, I got a recording informing me that my call would be answered in the order that it was received and that I was caller number five. Then, it asked me if I wanted to remain on the phone or leave a voicemail. Each time I moved up a level in the caller response line, I got exactly the same sequence of messages. Finally, after much waiting, I reached caller number one status and was asked once again whether I wished to wait or leave a voicemail. Can you guess what I chose?

As I continued waiting, I wasn't prepared for the next recorded message: "There are zero callers in front of you. Would you like to wait or leave a voice mail?" That was a no-brainer!

As I continued to wait patiently, I thought about how Jesus, hot, hungry, and tired, waited patiently for the Samaritan woman to come to the well.

John 4:6-8 – Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) (NIV)

We are not told just how long He had to wait, but willingly and patiently, He put aside any inconvenience and discomfort that He may have been experiencing for the opportunity to be able to minister to and offer the precious woman forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

1 Corinthians 13:4a – Love is patient. (NIV)

It is God's purpose for believers in Jesus Christ who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit to be conformed to Jesus' image. Being patient is just one of the ways that we show forth our conformity to Him.

As I reflected on Jesus and the Samaritan woman, thoughts of how long I had been holding suddenly were not important. My thoughts shifted from I, me, and mine, to the live receptionist who would soon be on the other end of the telephone.

He or she would most likely have had their share of impatient, irritated patients who had been holding for extended periods of time.

I was presented with an opportunity to be able to speak kindly to the operator and by God's grace to be a "patient patient".

Brothers and sisters, even if we are hot, hungry, or tired, let's remember Jesus and look for the ways and opportunities that He may give us to show others the patience of God in our lives.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for teaching us through Your precious Word and example how to live the Christ life. We sure do love You! Amen.

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