LOVE IS PATIENT Pastors Jerry and LaVerne
Luke 8:15 “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” NKJV
James says that we are to let “patience have her perfect work.” The greatest gift we can give our spouses is the gift of patience. Patience is “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.”
Our marriage is much stronger when we realize both of us are still being “made into the image of Christ.” We are not where we need to be as the best husband and wife, but we are “growing” and becoming that person. We need to allow God time to correct the things that need to be corrected in each other, being patient without complaining or becoming restless or annoyed with each other.
Even when spouses have opposite personalities they can learn to be patient with each other. Jerry and I are so different when it comes to pursuing goals. We learned this when we were first married. Both of us were still in college. We married in June then returned to school in September. When we were given our class assignments for the semester, we discovered we were quite different in our approach to getting things done. Even when things were not due until the end of the semester, LaVerne started on them immediately; but my idea was “I have plenty of time; why start now?” This difference caused a few minor problems in our social life, but we adjusted to each other. Even now, forty-eight years later, things are still the same. When something is planned, LaVerne wants everything ready, “Now.” As for me, “There is plenty of time. Let’s think about it for awhile.”
We have found the balance. When she needs to slow down, she listens to me. When I need to speed up, she prays and I listen. We are still so different in this area, but it doesn’t cause problems. We have learned to be patient.
This new year—2017–let this be a gift you give each other. Our children use to listen to this song:
“Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry.
When you get impatience, you only start to worry.
Remember, remember, that God is patient, too,
And think of all the times when others have to wait on you.”