I've volunteered with special needs the past two years and currently work with a day camp and day care for special needs. It presents many challenges (which don't come anywhere close to the rewards), and I usually have a good story to tell. A typical response I will get is "You must have the patience of a saint" or "I would never have enough patience to do that." I never saw myself as someone with an abnormal amount of patience, but I can see how working with people who are mentally and physically disabled does call for a little bit more patience than normal.
The other morning I woke up knowing exactly what my next blog would be about: Patience. But this wasn't the patience I need to work with special needs, the patience required to wait in a long line, or the patience of a child waiting to open Christmas presents. I had a eureka moment when I realized how much patience God must have with ME. I come back from camp or a conference with a "high" promising God that I will pursue Him everyday, and lose sight of that promise within weeks. I come back to the same sin again and again for which I have to ask God forgiveness of again and again. I seek after God's guidance when making a big decision, but turn around and ignore His answer so I can do something my own way. How many times have I sinned? How many mistakes have I repeated? Too many to count.
Thankfully I have a Father who loves me, and love is patient. He waits for me. He doesn't mock me when I come shamefully to His feet. He forgives me without hesitation even if He knows I will fail Him again. How incredible is it that I never have to wonder if God is there for me or not? He will always be waiting.
"Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory." -Psalm 50:15
That's the incredible thing isn't it? God is given glory when are at our weakest point. We are exposed for what we are: inadequate. In turn, God is revealed for what He truly is: abundantly enough.
This blog is dedicated to my home pastor, Ike, who called me out the other day for not posting a blog in several weeks! 🙂
