Some days, I have so much on my to-do list that I let my priorities get all out-of-whack.

There have been more days than I care to admit that I’ve been running around the house, trying to get things done, and not nearly as attentive to the things that matter most as I should’ve been.

For example, my husband Seth loves telling me about his day. And I like hearing about his day, I really do… but sometimes, I can hardly listen because my mind won’t stop circulating around my to-do list.

I remember one day in particular when Seth noticed my struggle to listen. I was waiting to go to the grocery store, and wanted to get there before it got too busy. Seth stopped and said, “You seem really impatient. You can go now, if you need to. I’ll finish the story later.”

Immediate guilt sank in. Was my impatience that obvious? 

Apparently.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m listening. I just… still have a lot to get done tonight.”

Seth had a lot of work to get done too, but the difference is, Seth is patient. Seth makes time for me on his busiest days. He is intentional about being present in the moment—the very thing I was failing to do with him. And he said, “I understand. It’s okay. Go ahead.”

I let Seth finish his story, and then I left. But my impatience had been unfair, selfish, and alarmingly obvious.

Jesus didn’t hurry through his time on earth. He didn’t let the ticking of a clock pull him from one place to the next. Jesus taught, healed, and discipled. He rested. But I don’t think Jesus hurried.

Jesus was present in the moment.

Jesus didn’t live by a schedule or let a to-do list dictate his days. When the sun was setting, Jesus was still healing without impatience or rush. When they ran out of wine at a wedding, Jesus was the one to keep the party going. He ate and fellowshipped with tax collectors and sinners. He showed that the point of the Sabbath wasn’t to have more rules, but to be intentional about rest.

When Jesus was on his way to Jairus’s house to see his sick daughter and a woman touched the edge of his cloak, Jesus stopped. He wasn’t impatient to get to Jairus’s house. He spoke with this woman he loved, and told her that her faith had brought her healing.

When Jesus stayed at the home of Mary and Martha, he commended Mary’s presence with him, rather than Martha’s constant preparations that left her distracted and disconnected. When Jesus saw a person who needed healing, he stopped and offered them forgiveness and redemption. Jesus wasn’t too busy to let the little children come to him. 

Jesus didn’t fill the hours leading up to his impending crucifixion with work. His mission on earth was to be the savior and redeemer, not to heal every sickness and preach on every hillside. Instead, Jesus took the time to sit and break bread with his friends. He went out to the garden to pray. He was present with his earthly companions and his heavenly Father.

Jesus wasn’t impatient. He was present.

I don’t want to be impatient. I want to be present.

When we feel the impatience seeping in, we can stop and assess the motives of our hearts. We can ask the Holy Spirit inside of us to fill us with patience to replace our impatience.

Patience is a beautiful gift. It goes along with peace, rest, and an unhurried life. Jesus lived a patient lifestyle during his time among us, and I want that lifestyle too. I don’t want to constantly be focused on getting to the next thing. I want to be present in the moment.

Let’s make it our mission to keep praying for patience. We won’t ever do it perfectly, but we can keep on praying. We can keep calling out the impatience as we see it in our lives.

The unrushed lifestyle of Jesus is a much better model than the rushed lifestyle we tend to glorify today.

And never forget… you are onederfully created.

Love,
Becca