Oh, my, the craziness of the season! Help me get it all done in a timely manner, Father – God of all time and space!
1 Corinthians 13:4a (<<click here to read the passage)
Love endures with patience and serenity… AMP
The phrase “I’ve only got one nerve left, and you’re getting on it” may be familiar to some of us. I’ve even heard it end with “…and you’re jumping up and down on it!” It is a place where many of us find ourselves.
Just today, on my elementary route, I had a 5th Grader who was a little more out of control than usual. I love her to pieces and have had her on my bus since she was in kindergarten, but today, she jumped up and down on my last nerve, and I ended up having her move to a front seat of the bus. And that’s where the kindergarteners sit. She did as I asked but remained silent until I spoke with her for a few moments before she got home.
In this case, though I had to get stern with her, my love endured with patience. I didn’t yell or belittle her; I was just firm in my demands, and there was no room for discussion. She knows that I care about her, and in speaking of why I did what I did, I pointed out the problem, but I also reinforced my “talk” with edification as well. She really is a good kid. Like all kids, she just needs occasional direction.
I can’t say that I always respond with loving patience, but I, too, am a work in progress and occasionally need direction (thank You, Lord!)
The next snippet of Scripture states Love endures with…serenity…
I wanted to know exactly what the word meant, so I looked it up. Oxford Languages on Google defined it as the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. OK…my response this afternoon was somewhat in that manner, but honestly, I did not wholeheartedly do so. Trying to keep a busload of energetic kids under control while driving a 15-ton vehicle in moderate traffic doesn’t convey the idea of serenity (just typing it makes me chuckle!) Calm, peaceful, and untroubled does not fit into this particular equation.
But does that let me off the hook? No, it doesn’t. As a follower of a God defined as love, I must endeavor to respond as He would in all situations of my life, regardless of the challenge. I have not come right out and proclaimed my beliefs, but I know my light shines brightly. Kids and adults, as well, are watching us. They are constantly evaluating what kind of people we are. And I, for one, am working hard to be a good reflection on my Lord and Savior. May that be the goal of us all. Amen.
Dec 13th, 2023, Wed, 6:39 pm
