Give the Gift of Patience

What is love?

That’s the question the apostle Paul tackled in 1 Corinthians 13. Near the top of the list, you’ll find this:  “Love is patient” (1 Corinthians 13:4).   Being patient shows a willingness to:

* cut people slack, even when they may not deserve it;  

* withhold judgment when people mess up;  

* give people time to grow. 

Patience allows us to look past people’s rough exteriors to see what’s inside. Patience allows us to accept people as they are—and to resist the urge to change them. 

To give someone the gift of your patience is to lay the groundwork for a deeper relationship with that person. If you have trouble giving the gift of patience to others, remind yourself that your loved ones the people who are closest to you—give you the gift of their patience every day.