Patience & ParentingSample

Love's First Characteristic

“Love is patient and kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4

Patience is difficult. Patience with our own family can be even more difficult. Maybe it’s because we’re around them all the time. Perhaps it’s because they know what makes us tick. Maybe it’s because you have a newborn who won’t stop crying, a toddler who won’t stop asking questions, a tween who thinks they know it all or a teenager who challenges each word you say. When we’re overwhelmed, frustrated, annoyed, or angry, the first and most common reaction is to lash out at the person who has aggravated us. But that wasn’t Jesus’ first reaction. Jesus constantly had moments where, had we been in that situation, we may have flipped our lid. They wanted to be fed, or they were insulting him. They were challenging him, or they wanted more. They loved him or hated him. Does any of that sound familiar?

How did Jesus respond? He loved first. Everything he did was out of love! He even summarized the most important commandment: love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, described 15 different characteristics of love, and he starts out with this: “Love is patient and kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4). The very first way that Paul can accurately describe love is to say that it is patient. When we feel the instinct to lash out in a situation, the most loving way to respond is with patience. It’s love’s very first characteristic!

Questions to think about:

What do my children do that causes me to become impatient with them quickly?

How can I respond to them in the most loving way?

Prayer:

God, today I pray for patience in all areas of my life, especially with my family. Help me to remember that love is patient, and when I’m pausing to be patient, I’m working towards being more like you. Amen.