patience (definition no. 1): the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
Some are just born with it.
Some never are able to acquire it, reminding observers of a copperhead immediately after being stepped on.
Some wield it with apparent ease, hiding the scars that bear witness to the recalcitrance in learning it.
Some have it land on their shoulder like a butterfly, only to see it flutter away before leaving any of its magic.
Some can produce it continuously, as if from a limitless well, piping it to wherever it is needed.
Yesterday, at 5:30 A.M. I believe it was, I closed the valves on my reserve of patience so suddenly there was no time to issue a warning to the nurse on the other end of the telephone. Even though I was exhausted it felt great to bark at her for awakening me with what I considered to be an idiotic question for that time of day. This is the false comfort anger dispenses to the gullible, for as the day progressed my satisfaction crumbled into a mess of regret.
Please, Lord, let me keep patience flowing despite the temptation to hoard it for some strikingly noble cause seen only faintly on the horizon, shimmering like a mirage.
Comments
We've all been there. I love your prayer for patience, and I think I'll have to commit it to memory for the next time a nurse makes me snap (or a colleague..)
Posted by: David Loeb | August 8, 2007 10:26 AM
It's not that the humble never lack in patience. It's just they are wise enough to acknowledge when they have lost it and attempt to rectify the situation. So, if you haven't already, go make ammends with the nurse for your lack of patience, even though it was her lack of thoughtfulness that incensed it; and then move on. You are a better person for the ability to feel bad about it.
Posted by: emmy | August 9, 2007 8:48 AM
Greetings!
Love the prayer also... def. a good mantra to run through one's mind at certain moments, to remind one, if nothing else, that it is the NOW that is most important in life, not some nebulous future....
Thank'ee's for sharing this....
-Katrina
Posted by: Katrina Hawke | August 15, 2007 2:29 PM