endure the wait

Patience in Chinese is naixin (not to be confused with naixi, that's "milkshake").  If we take the two characters of naixin to create a definition of patience we get "a heart that is able to endure."



It is hard to endure waiting, especially when it feels like we are waiting and waiting and waiting.



When I was a child we had a song about patience on one of our tapes; it belongs to either Psalty or Down by the Creek Bank.  To this day, I sing it to those around me--young and old--who are having difficulty enduring a wait.

Have patience, have patience.
Don't be in such a hurry.
When you are in patient you only start to worry.
Remember, remember, that God is patient too.
And, think of all the times that others have to wait on you!

On my own I am not a patient person--my sin nature wants things done in my timing.  It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit
that I am able to endure the wait.



Holy Spirit, cultivate in me a heart that is able to endure waiting . . . waiting for a husband, waiting for a time to go home, waiting for students who are late and trains that aren't on time, waiting for my turn to be the SHAM.  Help me to wait with hope for the things I cannot see (Romans 8:25).  Help me to be patient in all things big and small.  Help me to be more like the Father. 



But, do you wanna know what I think is most beautiful about patience?  It is that God is patient with us.  Oh how patient he is with me! 



And, daily I thank him for his patience with the Taiwanese.  I thank him that Christ hasn't returned yet, and ask that he continue to be longsuffering  . . . "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).



I love this section of Scripture: "But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the [worst sinner of all],
Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those
who were to believe in him for eternal life.  To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever" (1 Timothy 1:16-17). 



Oh, praise His holy name!





Carnivallogo_11
This post was submitted to the Carnival of Beauty sponsored by following an unknown path.  This week the theme is The Beauty of Patience and is being
hosted by Ellen at MzEllen & Co. Join us next week for The Beauty of Kindness over at Cahleen's In His Footsteps.



9 comments:

  1. The song... lol
    It is called Patience (Herbert the Snail) and it is from Music Machine.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Machine_%28album%29
    I still sing it too... especially while driving here in Taiwan! The other song I often sing is "Majesty" because I'm jealous of people with those big Majesty scooters. :-)

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  2. wow, I thought I was the only one who still remembered that song! I'm glad that Scott knew where it was from because all I could remember was the picture of the snail from the book that went along with the record. :-) That would have bothered me all day. I actually just sang that to one of my students the other day.

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  3. Oh Amanda, it is my prayer that the man of your dreams comes and sweeps you off your feet very soon! I know that sounds like a very "unspiritual" prayer (Christians are supposed to ask for "holy" things, not this), but why not pray for things like that? Of course, we acknowledge that all things happen in God's timing, and we trust that if waiting must be done, He will equip us with the patience to do so gracefully. But in the meantime, as you are waiting patiently, keep praying for your dream to come true! Do you ever think about how the person you're going to marry is alive right now and somewhere in the world? I used to think that all the time! What a trip!
    Ahhhh! I'm so scared about how I'm hosting COB next week! I have no idea what I'm supposed to do yet. I'm going to dig around on your blog and do some research on the matter.

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  4. Oh that song!!! Sarah, your sister,used to drive me nuts singing that to me...she always did it on purpose!! But I agree waiting is so hard and it seems like we are never done. This side of heaven we wait! I will pray for you as you wait upon the Lord. I am so inspired by your deep walk with God...so know that He is using you to glorify Himself!

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  5. Hee hee, I sing that song to my kids! And sometimes to myself too - I need more patience than ever before. Being patient for a mate is tough one though. I trust God has good plans for you - waiting expectatntly to see what they are!

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  6. You're so cute! Patience and milkshakes! Ha ha! Well, sometimes you need one for the other. I see you got a haircut. But also a new do! Did you get it straightened?? Of course you did. What I mean is permanently straightened? You are GEORGEOUS!!

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  7. Amanda:
    What a beautiful post! I had a hard day today and was led to your blog. This post was exactly what I needed to hear. Sometimes... being patient is hardest when its directly related to oneself.
    Thank you for trusting God and putting Him first. Your willingness to obey His will in your life is blessing so many! I praise God for your life. :)

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  8. h that song!!! Sarah, your sister,used to drive me nuts singing that to me...she always did it on purpose!!

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  9. This is a very useful post shared by you. Thanks for providing such a valuable information with us.

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