I have a real problem with patience.  It all started when I was a child at this time of the year and it seemed an eternity until Christmas.  I have to admit, I sneaked a peek a time or two and acted surprised when I opened my presents, but there is something about the anticipation that sends our patience out the window.

As I grew  more “mature” the thoughts of Christmas still held anxious waiting, but more often than not, the waiting was filled with worry about how we were going to pay for the gifts or if we would be able to afford a Christmas tree.  God always provided, but the waiting became more difficult.

Now that I’m in my senior years, you’d think I’d learn to be more patient.  Still, every year I go into “Martha Mode” trying to get it all ready before it happens, instead of soaking in the beauty – the glorious music, the reminders in scripture of Jesus’ miraculous birth, the real reason we celebrate.

Unfortunately,  I get caught up in the excitement of waiting rather than actually enjoying every second leading up to it.  We’ve grown accustomed to get what we want instantly, but oh how much more exciting it is to wait.

It seems we wait forever, for things we want right now,

It is our chief endeavor as through each day we plow.

Our hearts are disappointed when things don’t go our way,

but God’s own Son anointed, made sure our debt to pay.

When life has got us longing for all it has to give,

When every new day dawning, our dreams we want to live,

We turn our thoughts to Jesus and know that all is done.

He listens and He sees us, the victory has been won.

                                                                                    KATHY BOECHER©