Patience

PATIENCE - an 8 letter word which is hard to do

I remember a sign in my mom's kitchen growing up that stated "God grant me patience - BUT I want it right now!" As I have been going along in this parenting journey, I am really starting to understand this. Part of me wonders if God is really trying to teach me patience right now, or if I am truly that bad with patience that I need lessons on patience.  So, below is some lessons on patience I have had the past few weeks...

First off, I have been exhibiting patience (among other things) while waiting for my next OB appointment. Usually, at this stage in the game, baby appointments are about 4 weeks apart, give or take a few days.  Well, the span between my last appointment and my next one is 6 weeks!  The first 4 weeks went by very well - I wasn't anticipating anything.  This week and I am sure next week, are just dragging on.  There are periods of time during the day that I wonder if the babies are ok, if they are growing properly, etc.  This has also been a test of faith - I give the babies to God every morning and know that He is in control of them and my life.  Some days are easier than others, but it is a work in progress - a testing of patience!

Secondly, I have been working on exhibiting patience with my oldest daughter.  I don't know if it is her age or her personality or a combination of both, but she has truly been challenging me these past few weeks.  I have had to take a step back, retake "control," and exhibit patience while disciplining her.  Sometimes I wonder if I expect too much of her, while other times I know I don't expect enough of her.  I really think it is one of those things that is a give and take.  However, I will say, that I have made amazing strides the past 2 weeks.  So much that now my dear husband is almost to the point that I was 2 weeks ago (a parenting breakdown).  We had a chat last night, after he battled our oldest going to bed, about how our daughter knows what to do and how to do it to get daddy beyond the point of frustration and without patience.  We talked about the importance of not showing our frustrations and exhibiting calmness and extreme patience while disciplining.  I have found that it makes the biggest difference!  So, yes, a test of my patience - one that I am passing almost 90% of the time.  The last 10%, usually in the evenings, I am still working on - a work in progress!

Thirdly, patience in the awaiting of Spring.  If there was a sign about Spring similar to the patience sign, I could have it right now.  I enjoy every season - which is part of the reason we live in the middle of Iowa instead of Arizona - but at the end of winter, it is a challenge of patience.  I am ready for the Spring flowers to start poking through the ground - for blossoms to start blooming - for grass to turn green and need mowed - for warmth and not drowned ground so my children can play outside - for sunshine - for the ability to go on picnics and not freeze - etc.  I think you get the idea....I am in the process of making a fresh fruit pizza to remind me of Spring.  This past week I have made several "summer" meals for supper including grilled stuffed pork chops, sauted zucchini, steaks, baked potatos, etc. It truly has helped to lift the mood and has helped me to have more patience while awaiting Old Man Winter to go away!

Finally, I think just patience to get things accomplished overall.  It is amazing how extremely tired I have been this pregnancy  - more so than with my other two.  I have periods during the day where I can accomplish things and periods where I have no energy and need to lie down.  Needless to say, only about half of what I want to accomplish during the day actually gets done.  This is a test of patience for me - remembering what is important and knowing that the rest can wait until tomorrow or the next day or the next day...

So, God truly is teaching me patience, in many ways.  But, I still want it right now!  :-)