Waiting versus Whacking

I am doing the bible study by Beth Moore called Living Beyond Yourself. In the lecture on patience Beth says that "Patience waits when it wants to whack." Has she been peeking in my classroom? I thought I was a patient person until I began my first year of teaching. Now I am in my 8th year of teaching and I am still not as patient as I would like. In fact according to Beth again "Patience is just as much about us as it is about them." It is called character building and it is inspired by mercy. Somehow my students are completing something that is lacking in me. How often I forget the mercy God has shown me time after time. God's patience never ends. I am not there yet but hopefully getting closer.

Dear God, I am so thankful for your patience with me. Help me see things with your eyes and have the patience that only you can give. Amen

Who are your Five?

Who are your five? Usually when people ask you this question, they are talking about the five people that you call the most. Actually I've never been asked this question, but the tv commercials would like us to think that this is a very important thing to know. So why the question?

A couple of weeks ago I told the Bible story in children's ministry. The introduction included the story teller talking to the host about his five. It was a fun exchange that transitioned into a conversation about people bringing other people to meet Jesus. John introduced Andrew to Jesus. Andrew introduced Peter and Philip introduced Nathaniel. My story concluded with a challenge to the children to think of five people that they wanted to bring to Jesus or pray for. I went home thinking about who are my five. I decided to write down five people that I want to know Jesus and begin praying for them and an opportunity to share. Now I don't have any exciting stories of how any of them have come to Jesus. But I have taken a step in that direction and I believe in a God who can direct the rest of my steps. Who are your five?

Dear God, You know who my five are and you love them and long for them to be close to you. You also know how I am inadequate in my attempts to tell others about you. May you in grace help me to be diligent to pray, ready to share and open to opportunities. Amen