I’ve patiently waited for goodies to come out of the oven ...
patiently waited at red lights and through traffic jams ...
patiently waited to get my first real job ...
patiently waited to be pregnant ...
patiently waited to make “home” more homey, after living through transient season upon season of baseball ...
patiently waited as teammates get “ready” to launch ...
patiently waited for children to age through various stages ...
patiently waited for God to fulfill His timing in countless seasons.

Of all the fruits of the Spirit, my life has rarely demonstrated a famine of forbearance. Even now, as I wait for God to position the pieces of a longer-term puzzle, I’m learning more, growing deeper roots of faith and practicing more patience. This time, more generously with myself.

Christmas mornings, I was always the last one to finish opening gifts – until my daughter came along. Then, she took over that spot. I loved seeing what everyone else received, and especially loved watching expressions when they opened gifts from me. As I grew wiser, this was a memory God used to help me understand the art of receiving. I’ve always been a better giver than receiver. As a result of my awkwardness, I realized I was robbing the giver of the same joy I relished when my recipient opened their gift from me. More troubling, I’ve come to realize I may put unconscious limits on the never-ending supply of Grace and Mercy the greatest Gift-Giver longs for me to receive from Him.

It’s taken a long, hard season of being forced to receive – help, patience and understanding – from others for me to realize living open-handed means not only the ability to hold loosely to what the Father has given me, but also to be ready to receive from Him, more than I’ll ever deserve.

Winter to spring, I think, is the most dramatic transition of seasons. A lot of work went on behind the scenes to help those flowers burst out of seemingly nowhere. As the seasons shift with glorious emerging buds, blossoms and blooms, I’m letting the bright and beautiful new landscape remind me of how spiritual seasons play an even more important a role in my life than natural ones. And this adorable screensaver is the perfect companion for that reminder. Download if you agree!

And let me know what you’ve waited on recently. I’d love to hear!