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Thursday Thoughts

December 7, 2023

Last week started a series on the meaning of the Advent wreath with a twist. Each week we will look at a candle that begins with the letter of the traditional Advent wreath candle and change the word to one that will help us grow in our faith during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Last week we started with H for humility.

This week's candle represents patience. The usual candle represents peace, but not this week. Isn't it true we all need just a smidge more patience especially this time of year? Let me share a little story that illustrates both last week's humility and this week's patience. Imagine a busy airport during the holiday season. As sometimes happens, which seems more frequently these days, a flight was canceled, resulting in a long line at the airline counter trying to rebook another flight. One distinguished man in the slow-moving line pushed to the front and demanded a seat on the next flight. The ticket agent said he was sorry but he would have to wait his turn as he assisted the people in front of him. In a thunderous and impatient voice, he growled, "Do you have any idea who I am?" "No sir, I don't but let me see if I can get you some help with that." The ticket agent picked up the public address microphone and said, "Attention, please! There is a man at the ticket counter who doesn't know who he is. If there is anyone in the airport who can identify him, please come to Terminal 3 Gate 10 immediately." The man slowly turned and retreated to the back of the line, pulling his expensive luggage behind him.

Have you noticed how the traffic has picked up in town this time of year and the red lights last longer than usual, or is that my imagination? Seems even the fast food drive-thrus are slow-moving. There are not enough clerks in the store to ring up purchases and the two-day delivery from Amazon is not fast enough! Oh, what has happened to us? Seems the busier we are the less patient we become. This is nothing new, humans have always been impatient. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he wrote "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love." 4:2 When we watch the news we wonder how God can let this wicked world continue. How can he be patient with us as the world is in turmoil? Lest we forget, we are reminded that God operates on his timetable and in his own way. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." Isaiah 57:8

Patience is listed in the gifts of the Spirit. Patience teaches us to wait to see where God is working in our lives. It is good for us to wait as we see in James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

What do we want? We want patience and we want it right now! But we know that is not how it works. There has to be a conscious strategy to grow patience. First, we must always be thankful. We have been given the ultimate gift of a Savior who died for us so that our sins would be wiped away. We have the Spirit of God living in us that guides and directs us if we listen and heed his direction. Jesus modeled for us the perfect example of patience and although it is a difficult model to emulate, it is foolproof. We find ourselves in situations all the time that test us to see where we are on the patience-o-meter. We find areas where we need to grow and we may see progress in other areas.

As we light the second candle on the non-traditional Advent wreath, we examine the patience we have with God, ourselves, and others. Perhaps we can gift ourselves with the tools and prayers we need to have patience like the one who came to us in a humble manger, who loved everyone and showed that love through understanding and patience.

Blessings,

Becky

Bridgewater UMC 

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!  

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Bridgewater, VA 22812

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