Dear Ones,
Hope you wake to a day of sunshine. I will be doing some food prep this  morning and then we plan to have friends over for coffee and felllowship.
The question this week is: what area of your llfe is it most difficult to exercise patience? 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  Patience! Patience! Patience! Don’t we wish we had the patience of Job who endured so much and didn’t give up? Patience is a fruit of the Spirit and one that is quite beautiful as it matures. Too often we can be like little children that want everything now and not later and often ask, “Are we there yet?” when we have just begun a trip. Or who want dessert before the main course? If we are honest, we all need to grow the fruit of patience.
  I was reading what Pastor Mark Roberts from Fuller Seminary had to say about patience as he quotes I Thess. 5:14 (God’s Word), “We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.”  It isn’t easy to be patient with those who try our patience with doing things that we might think we would never do. But we must always remember that others are also likewise showing patience with us in many situations. I can picture even now that look in my mother’s eye, without a word said, that she was holding her tongue when she wanted to say something corrective to me. Patience!
   Paul is giving us different situations we might have to exercise this gift, like with those who are discouraged. The Lord might have us come along side of them and speak encouragement and show concern for them. Or those who are weak, sick or old. we might give some hands-on help, taking them places and giving them of our time. And those who might be involved in sinful behavior, that we patiently pray and not give up on them.
   I marvel at God’s patience with me, when I get stuck or do things over and over again that I should have moved beyond. When we get impatient, let us remember as it says in II Peter 3:9 that God is not slow to do what He promised but is patient for our sake.
Challenge for today: Thank the Lord for His patience with you and patiently help another. 
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy