Let us do all this with patience, love, and forgiveness
Try to Remember
Why are we so impatient at times when we really don’t have anything to rush off to or to do? Today’s message speaks about the saying “patience is a virtue”, because we need that simple reminder. The writer tells about his experience of having a conversation with his wiser self while at a lunch counter: “What was I hurrying to? Nothing. Why didn't I have a won-derful, four-minute Stillpoint instead of becoming unhappy and grouchy (because of the lunch rush delay)? How did I miss such a great occasion to be supportive and friendly to the waitress who was stretched thin at the busy lunch hour?” We are all encouraged to turn moments of frustration into moments of life, not taking for granted the small moments of alone time and opportunities for peacefulness.
Let us remember that patience is of God for God is love, and 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us, “Love is patient…”. In the same manner our Father gives us grace, let us give grace to those around us.
FMBC Weekly Reading: St. Luke 15:11-32 The prodigal son had siblings like himself
“Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”
Let us always remember that there is nothing we can do to take keep us from the love of God for us. As with the prodigal son, we only have to return to receive grace and forgiveness, for His love for us is unconditional and eternal.
Youversion Verse of the Day: Psalms 59:16
But I will sing of your might; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been a fortress for me and a refuge in the day of my distress.
May we forever be confident in the Father, always remembering and considering what He has done and will always do for me and you.
Let us do all this with patience, love, and forgiveness, my friend.🙏🏽💚🦋🌈
