The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8
Recently my teenage daughter had a severe injury playing softball that caused major injuries to her knee. We were given a plan of recovery from her doctors and were on that path for about two weeks when we were told by her surgeon on a Saturday that she needed immediate surgery. We went straight to the ER and she had surgery the following morning and was in the hospital until Tuesday. She is now on a very long road to recovery with a possible two more surgeries being needed.
As a parent, I have struggled with helping her to see the end of this road. Not only is she a teenager and naturally stubborn, she is also an athlete and has dreams about playing sports at the next level, so for her this has been devastating. And being a sports family this has been difficult for all of us to grasp. Patience is just hard sometimes. I read this verse and devotion recently and it has been comforting for the season we are in with my daughter. She has been appreciative of seeing her situation through the way God has intended for her. She has been able to slow down and reflect, and is working on what God wants her to learn out of this.
It is one thing to be out for a few days for soreness or fatigue. But have you ever broken a bone or needed surgery that took you out for a longer duration of time? As I journey through the recovery of a broken finger, one thought comes to mind: patience. It is not easy being on the sidelines, needing to ask for help, and having to learn new things as you adjust during this season of life. Patience is key and there is beauty in it.
Through patience, sometimes you begin to realize the busyness of life that maybe you’ve been calling a routine. Taking time to step back and appreciate the things God puts around you like the serene sounds of the wind and birds chirping their harmonious songs. Or maybe it is giving yourself grace to make mistakes and growing in areas that you’ve taken for granted. Patience gives us the chance to look at our mistakes with encouragement that we can and will learn and grow because of it. Patience can be an opportunity where God truly challenges us to listen and be obedient. Although many of us may not like it, patience is beautiful in many ways.
– Jessica Ellington, Eastern Program Administrator