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Today I am thankful for patience. This is something that I don't necessarily claim to have -- if you've ridden as a passenger in a car that I'm driving you already know this. And today, in particular, has been particularly challenging. I'm not going to go into details of my day, because in these posts leading up to Thanksgiving I really am doing my best to focus on what I'm thankful for, not on what is driving me crazy. But across numerous settings, within various activities, and with a decent number of people I've found that I've had to take a deep breath and think "Carolyn, it's okay. Be patient." while at the same time sending up a desperate prayer for help. So many mornings, as I'm driving to the gym I get stuck behind cars - get this - going the speed limit or just under. I don't speed excessively, but if the speed limit is 45, I'll go 50; actually being held to 45mph seems ridiculous at times, especially in the middle of Colorado prairie. Lately, however, I've been thinking to myself (as I'm muttering under my breath at the person in front of me) "I wonder if God put this slow guy in front of me for a reason. It's okay to slow down a bit." I am thankful for the patience that I like to think I'm learning, but more importantly, the patience that people all around me show towards each other and me. Because it only stands to reason that if there are people who try my patience, then I know I've got to have the same effect on others too, right? Paul is a very patient man. My father calls him Saint Paul for "putting up" with me (and he'll get his own "daily thankful" on our anniversary). I am really trying to be more conscious of slowing down, appreciating what is going on around me instead of trying to control my surroundings. Now, to sit back, take a deep breath, and patiently wait for the Carolina game to come on. Go Heels! :)
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