While on a short safari the other morning I got on the trail of a very elusive lizard.  While he was not what you would call Large Game, he was certainly difficult to track.  I was not sure what I saw the first time I spotted him, all I knew was that I saw something move.  I froze and waited patiently for whatever I saw to move again.  And after a few moments of silent observation I saw my little friend slowly creep and crawl to this leaf where he too froze and waited patiently.

        I love to observe creatures like this lizard in their natural habitat.  I enjoy watching the way they search for food and interact with other animals like themselves.  I have decided that you can learn a lot from a lowly lizard.  No doubt I stood motionless and silent for 20 minutes while I located, watched and photographed this little fellow.  He was an amazing example of patience and focused concentration as I watched him searching for his food.

        Slowly he tiptoed to this branch and then gradually a transformation occurred before my eyes.  He altered his skin color to match his surroundings and with every passing moment he seemed to slowly disappear.  The longer he stood still and waited the more deadly he became to his prey and the more likely he was to get what he wanted.  As I stood there in his classroom he taught me a valuable lesson; good things come to those who learn to be patient.  Yes, those who can wait and patiently work on in spite of difficulty can have just about anything in life they desire.

        We pray for patience, “Dear Lord, please grant me patience. And I want it right now.” Because we do not know that the key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it open.  Faith can move mountains; but also can patience and diligence.  How poor we are when we live without patience!  Remember, one moment of patience may prevent disaster; one moment of impatience may ruin a life.  Patience is a choice; choose to hang on, work and wait for the good things in life.

Something to think about:

• There are times when our Lord asks nothing of his children except silence, patience, and tears.

• Patience strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, subdues the pride, and bridles the tongue.

• Patience is a great virtue—but work while you wait. . . The secret of patience is to do something else in the meantime.

• What can’t be cured must be endured.

• Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work.

• The Almighty is working on a great scale and will not be hustled by our irritable impulsiveness.

• Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.

• Patience means waiting without anxiety.

• Do not ask to have your life’s load lightened, but to have courage to endure.

Please be patient with me, the Lord is not finished with me yet.
Rickey Moore