If you ever want to learn how to be patient, live in a different country.
I have always struggled with being impatient for as long as I can remember. I am impatient, whether I am driving behind a slow driver or waiting for my food to be brought to the table. I always want things to happen right away and I always want to know what is going to happen.
God has a sense of humor because He has put me in a culture where all you ever do is wait. I feel like I am always waiting for someone. In America you can practically have or do anything whenever you want. Here I have to wait to go to the furniture store or to buy minutes for my phone. I have to wait for people to pick me up or take me places. I have to wait for meetings and ministry.
I found myself in tears yesterday because I was so frustrated with the culture. I was trying to be understanding that here things are slower and people don’t show up on time. But part of me could not rid myself of the faster is better mentality of Americans.
I know that this mentality has left me many times frustrated with God. Instead of being thankful with where I am and what I have, I grow impatient in waiting for the next thing. I always ask him to be on time and quickly give me the answers. But sometimes I feel like God is on Central American time. 30 minutes past the time I wanted Him to show up or giving me answers that I didn’t want to hear.
God is teaching me so much through this culture. I am learning to be patient, understanding, and gracious. I know that all of this is making me into a better woman of God. Even though I don’t understand or I feel aggravated by waiting, God is teaching me most importantly to rely on Him.
