DAY 52 -- Lessons of Patience

I have always been taught that I need to learn patience.  My companion-good wife, she will agree that I am definitely impatient when I drive.  I have always lived my life in the fast lane, fourth gear, hurry up and run, why take your time, why go so slowly?  Yes, of course that has gotten me into mounds of trouble, but I am always impatient. 

Now, of course we want to go on a mission.  We are "patiently" awaiting the appointment with the stake president so he can interview us, then push the magic button to send our papers to the church headquarters.  It has been a time, and we still wait.  Our President has 16 wards, and thus is very busy with running a stake so large.  I guess we are not important, he is too busy, or something, but it is definitely trying to teach me patience. 

I also want to lose a few pounds.  So I am exercising more than I have for years.  I am eating better, and I not eating as many sweets, and I am trying to cut down on the amount I eat.  Nope, I have not lost anything, another lesson in patience?  In fact, through all the efforts of dieting, exercising, etc, I am not losing, I am probably gaining.  Is that a lesson in patience? 

As I further the pondering of patience, I realize that patience is everywhere.  I need to be patient with myself also.  Not just with others, but with myself.  I am not perfect, I am not walking on water yet, I am not ready to enter the Celestial Kingdom, nor ready to live a Zion-like society.  I am still striving to perfect myself, and become better.  That takes patience with myself.

Note:  I am improving.  This waiting for our interview with our stake president is not as hard as it once was.  I wanted everything done immediately, our papers, interviews, physicals, etc.  But now I know that there are reasons why he is delaying our interview.  They are divine reasons.  I am reminded of 2 Nephi 2:24, where it bears witness that all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things.  There are reasons for delay.  There are reasons for all things.  I just need to keep in mind that He is in charge, even of the timing of our mission, especially in the timing.  For we shall see those reasons as time goes by, and will be grateful for them.  I hope I can remember to comment on them as I see/learn them. Maybe even I am learning patience?  Shocker...