" WAITING PATIENTLY TAKES WORK "

As a parent, grandparent and great grandparent I get to say this. It is natural for children to trust their parents, even though parents sometimes fail to keep their promises. Our heavenly father, however, never makes promises he won't keep. Nevertheless, his plan may take more time than we expect. Rather than acting like impatient children as we wait for God's will to unfold, we should place our confidence in God's goodness and wisdom. In his kindness, God holds back his judgment, giving people time to repent. it is easy to mistake God's patience for approval of the wrong way we are living. Self-evaluation is difficult, and it is even more difficult to expose our conduct to God and let him tell us where we need to change. But as Christians, we must pray constantly that God will point out our sins, so that he can heal them. Unfortunately, we are more likely to be amazed at God's patience with others than humbled at his patience with us. LAST POINT: I can't say it enough, God is waiting for us to turn to him. (Luke 15:20) " So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." Now, in this accounting, the father watched and waited much like, our loving creator. God's love is constant and patient and welcoming. He will search for us and give us opportunities to respond, but he will not force us to come to him. God waits patiently for us to come to our senses. Until Next Time... Jim,