Springtime Patience

With all of the threatening health news we are presently facing, I thought a note on “springtime patience” would be appropriate.  As some of you know, I married a farmer – and it is planting season; springtime on the farm means working the ground and planting, and all of it has to be done with utmost patience depending on the weather and the condition of the soil.

When my husband and I were getting serious about our relationship, I was cautious and worried about its possible long-term future.  Mike, on the other hand, felt secure and excited about it.  One day, when I was voicing these concerns to him, he looked me straight in the eye and said something like this; “I plant my seed in the spring, and don’t know how I will come out with it until the fall.  Why don’t you not be so concerned about the future, but just live.”

His wisdom was right out of James, chapter 5, verses 7-8.  “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

Lord, help us to be patient like the farmers surrounding us:  knowing that our adventure called life requires a lot of it at times.  Keep us ever-closer to you in this time of our need.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.