"Patience, A Needed Virtue”

In Jesus Holy Name September 26, 2021

Text: James 5:7-9 Redeemer

“Patience, A Needed Virtue”

The message today is not about how to know heaven is your home. It is not about our eternal destiny, but about a character trait called patience.

I have several class mates that serve churches in Minnesota. Several had Lutheran Schools. I don't remember if the story I'm going to share with you is real or not, but it was told to me by a fellow pastor.

At any rate, I'm sure all kindergarten teachers and most moms can identify with the teacher who was helping one of her children put on his boots. It was Minnesota. It was winter, and boots and mittens were a necessity. Helping kindergartens put on boots is in and of itself an example of patience. Now, putting on boots can be a struggle; a struggle the teacher did without complaint.

It was only when she had wiggled and worked the second boot almost on, that her student commented, "Teacher, I think my boots are on the wrong foot." Sure enough, they were. "This has been a long day," the teacher thought to herself.

With a deep sigh, and a heaven-sent prayer, she started the process all over again. Struggling to take the boots off and then switch them was time consuming. This teacher did not perspire easily, but little beads of sweat popped out on her forehead. She helped the student up and said, "There, that's done."

The boy looked at his feet and said, "Teacher, these aren't my boots." At that moment, she called on all those years of experience, and, gently said, "Oh, I'm sorry, dear. Maybe that's why they went on so hard. Let's get them off and put your boots on." And so the process began again.

It was amazing how clear her words were, considering she was speaking them through clenched teeth. Veins were standing out on her neck and forehead by the time those boots were off. Only then did the boy comment, "These boots are my brother's. Mom said that I had to wear them today."

She knelt down and struggled and tussled to slide those overshoes on one more time. With a sense of satisfaction, she looked down on her student and asked, "Now, where are your mittens?" He replied, "I didn't want to lose them, so I stuffed them into the toes of my boots."

The subject for the Lord's message today is "patience." Now, believe it or not, I have actually known some people like that teacher. Although I never met her, Mother Teresa is said to have been that kind of person. When she was asked, if she didn't get angry at all the social injustice all around the world, she replied, "Why should I spend energy in anger that I can extend in love?" God has not called me to be successful. God called me to be faithful."

In the 5th chapter of the New Testament epistle of James, there is a sentence which holds up a farmer as being the epitome of patience. James wrote, "See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient. He does not rush the harvest.

I have met people of patience. I have seen the patience of a husband directed to his wife. Recently, I went out to visit Sharon Danielsen. She is in a full care home. Just outside the entrance was a husband visiting his wife. She was in a wheel chair. He said, she no longer remembers me. But he was there telling her stories. She was unable to take care of herself; she had lost her memory. Still, he visited her in the nursing home every week. He told her about the exciting events in the lives of their children; he brought her flowers. They were for her caregivers to enjoy. But he was patient. He didn't know how much she could understand, so he patiently lived his life as if she could understand everything.

Just this week end we were at a dinner with long time friends. Towards the end of the evening my long time friend mentioned that his wife had been falling a lot lately but no one knew why. She was also not remembering things very well. I noticed that he was the one who filled her plate, and helped her walk. He knew

there would be more days ahead. He was concerned. I reminded him that he had always been a servant and he would do well, caring for his wife. Patience would be required.

Patience is not a virtue in our culture! We have been geared fast food. We expect fast food to be fast. At the bank's drive through, I want to drive through; and if the lady in front of me has to do multiple high finance transactions, she ought to go inside. I confess that I find waiting to be excruciating.