The last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster ride after my sister, in quite the freak accident, inhaled cleaning chemicals and ended up in ICU for much of that time. The ride has been much like the one pictured at the right...day by day we had our ups and downs; sometimes, even hour by hour. For the most part, though, this ride was longer than some roller coaster rides, we have continually made progress, improving, healing.The response to the prayer requests have been humbling...
Our God who honored those requests has been inspiring...
Through it all, though, I failed a test. Recently, I was reminded that to be the Christian God wants me to be I should pray for ALL of the fruits of the spirit...yes, that definitely includes patience. Remember how one obtains patience?
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope; (Romans, KJV)Hummmm....glory in tribulations? Glory? In tribulations? Yes, I may glory after...but in? Maybe I have...some... Through this process, I have so appreciated Facebook (even going so far as to create Janet a page for her UPdates); there, I was able to request prayers and praise the answers, remaining humbled by the response from her many friends, humbled by the answered prayer requests when I would post. Yes, that praise is glory. Maybe I am learning to better glory in tribulations...?
Now, for that next part...that part about tribulation working patience. That part I failed, when in my bossiness (well, I would like to think it was because of my caring and inquiring about my sister), I upset a person enough that this person had to hang up the phone before exploding on me. Right there is where I failed.
The part that bothers me the most? My testimony in that person's eyes may be damaged. That shames me.
And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12)At that moment and other moments before, I did not have patience with this person...I was "sluggish." Well, maybe I had some patience (for this occurred 2 1/2 weeks into the roller coaster ride!)...but not with the right attitude. Maybe that was the problem? Too tired, too worried, too stressed, I allowed those emotions to override the Christ-like example I should have exuded.
I saw this quote on Facebook this morning...and it spoke to me. Through the storm, my family has been through the last couple of weeks and during the time to come, during the time of continued healing and plenteous prayers answered, I hope to use the lessons learned, summed up here. I pulled that above referenced person into my storm...not into my peace. My prayer is that I be give the opportunity to use that peace more in this storm. Right now? I am home. The storm has lessened, and I need the rest...emotionally and mentally. Today, I am going to clean my house, doing something "normal" in the lull of this storm just seems important to me.
I pray for you peace...especially in your storms...which are coming...for we need that patience that only He can bestow. Yes, let's praise Him in the storm.
