Americans are so impatient. We want everything NOW - no, YESTERDAY! If a waitress doesn't get to our table in seconds, it bothers us. If anyone puts us on hold or doesn't return our call quickly, we become irritated. If the line at the store moves slowly, we're frustrated. If traffic backs up, we're angry. We are SUCH an impatient people.

The other day I was heating something up in the microwave and feeling a bit unhappy because the microwave took 3 minutes to heat up something that a newer microwave could do in 2 minutes! Now, THAT'S ridiculous! I'd never have survived the days where everything had to be cooked over a fire. It would have taken FOREVER to heat anything up.

Seriously, though, this is precisely why a mark of a Christian is patience. We're supposed to be different than all the impatient people around us. We should be able to tolerate waiting and make the best of the moment, instead of demanding things be done for us NOW. We're supposed to be patient. In fact, Galatians 5:22 says it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives - that is, the presence of patience in our lives proves that God's Spirit is living and working in us. The presence of impatience shows the Holy Spirit ISN'T working in our lives at that moment!

So, try this today. Decide to be patient in advance of any delays or waits that might come. If you are delayed or someone is slow, look for a way to enjoy the moment. Thank God for a minute of rest. Spend the time in prayer. Relax and let God control the moment and stop being a control freak. Enjoy your surroundings. Notice people, if others are present. Strike up a conversation with someone. Maybe God put them there just for you to connect with. Who knows? But if you're impatient, you'll just make yourself look bad and miss what God wanted to give you in that moment.

So practice patience - NOW, please J!