Things have changed so much in the last year. Our jobs, kids’ schooling options, trips to the stores, and just life in general. I’ve been in a season where I feel like things are just slower for me. In my home life, things are slower than normal because of the cold, snowy weather. My family and I don’t go out much during the winter months. We spend a lot of our time indoors entertaining one another. At work (I’m on staff here at the church), things are slower due to Covid-19 still lingering, making it harder to do the events we used to do and not having the attendance like we used to have. With that, I have to think to myself, what is God trying to teach me in this slow season of my life, since I have the time to be still and listen?

He’s teaching me to be patient.

Being a working mom of two kids and a wife, there is constant tiredness and things that need to be done during my “free time” on the weekends. So, when it comes to actually having time with my husband and kids I feel like I am just so exhausted that something so little as them asking me what’s for dinner will throw me off the handle. Which leads me to this verse, “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper — it only leads to harm.” Psalm 37:8 (NLT) 

I more often than not regret the way I acted and the next day I feel convicted by my actions over things that are so little. And like the verse says, “it only leads to harm.” The tone of my voice and my negative reaction has such an effect on my children and my husband. Getting mad over little things sets a bad example for my kids and also shows disrespect to my husband. So, I am learning that I need to think before I speak and keep praying for God to show me how to be more patient. 

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is my favorite verse; it is even posted on my wall as a constant reminder that God knows the plans for my future. About a year ago, I tried to go against God’s will by accepting a new job and after much praying and hearing from God, He told me that was not His plan for me. That His plan was for me to stay where I am. There was an opportunity that came up at work that I felt like I was ready to move into, but it didn’t happen because that wasn’t God’s plan for me ... for now. 

Being patient is not an easy thing for me to do, but I am seeing the fruit of being patient in my job. I have been walking through books of the Bible with two women in my life that, had I not been patient or followed God’s plans, this would not have happened. I am expanding God’s kingdom and I would not trade that for anything. I remind myself daily that I need to be patient and know that God is in control of my life. It’s not in my timing, it’s in God’s. 

Patience is a virtue … So, in this slow season, I will be patient!

This post was written by a group of volunteer writers who strive to share God's truth through an online platform, but may not reflect the views of The Vineyard Church as a whole. To learn how you can get involved, email us at    .

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