The Wisdom
of Patience
Written and published by Jean-Louis
Written and published by Jean-Louis
He has made everything beautiful in his time.
The end of the matter is better than its beginning
and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 3:11; 7:8.
A few years
back a Kraft commercial for their Parmesan cheese attracted my attention. I
love the way Jewish, Italian, French or Brazilian families to name a few make the
dinner table a place of great communication in sharing political debate, loud
banter and laughter while at the same time respecting the experience and wisdom
of the elders in the family.
On the screen
a wonderful long table was set with all the delicious dishes cooked by the Mama for
her Italian family. In the middle of the table a small child was sitting next
to his grandpa, anxiously waiting his turn to devour the delicious spaghetti
with an appetite already stimulated by the wonderful aroma of the Bolognese
sauce.
His big round
eyes were following the can of Parmesan cheese as each one was passing it
around the table. He was so eager to start eating that he lifted his eyes and
asked his grandpa permission to start: “Now, Grandpaw?” who was answering: “not yet”. Then the same
questions and answers were shared just by an inquiring glance from below and a
negative movement of the index finger from above. Slowly everybody was shaking the
can in a heaping serving of grated cheese on their plate.
You could
see the impatience grow on the kid´s face and in his eyes imploring his
grand-father to give him the signal. Nobody else seemed to pay attention to the
silent complicity between the oldest and the youngest member of the family.
Finally after the can had made the rounds to his grandpaw and the child had
victoriously shaken the container onto his plate, (there was enough left) one last time he obediently
raised his eyes and with a grin waited for the green light from one he
respected and that he knew loved him enough to teach him the important lessons
in life. The grandfather, an affectionate smile on his face released the
hungry boy with a simple nod.
This
beautifully thought commercial presentation reveals a spiritual lesson that the Lord was trying to teach me.
How many
times when we pray asking our Father in Heaven in faith and according to his
will knowing that he will answer us do we then grow impatient when the answer
doesn´t come right away?
Do we understand the number of levels the Lord works on simultaneously and perfectly?
Do we understand the number of levels the Lord works on simultaneously and perfectly?
Do we know
that He has already answered us, but that we are not the only ones he wanted to
bless? Do we realize that he may be sending his messengers, be they men or
angels to affect the lives of people half way around the world and connecting
events that took place 40, 50,100 years ago to bring about his desired end
according to his will and his purpose?
To
everything there is a season and I would add a “Seasoning”. To read about seasoning with salt in the season of brokenness click https://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-seasons-in-life-of-christian_23.html
So next
time you are tempted to reach and grab for the Parmesan cheese across the
table, be patient and remember the wisdom of the elders.
Amen! My husband and I have found ourselves in one of those seasons, where we'd like to reach across the table out of turn. Yet, knowing that God's timing is perfect we keep looking up, waiting on His "go ahead" nod.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment we realize that this thing we are longing for is our "forbidden fruit", and somehow it puts the longing in perspective. We have come to realize that the nod of affirmation may never come and as sad as that is, God has something better in mind.
Thank you for posting this blog as a reminder to be patient and let God guide our hand.
Hi Lydia, I thank you for your comment. It´s gratifying to me when people respond and tell me they have been encouraged, comforted and share what the Lord has been doing in their lives and hearts. I see that you are on your way to publish your children´s book. I wish you the best of success. May the Lord bless your efforts and cause everything to work for good as you seek to please him. Jean-Louis.
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