Friday, June 6, 2008

Willingness to Wait

A young woman decided to plant a flower bed, determined to make it lush and overflowing. She planted numerous seedlings side by side until the bed was full. But instead of thriving, her garden died. If she had given her seedlings room to grow at their own rate, eventually they would have filled her garden with glorious flowers. But because she was not willing to wait for her plants, she lost their potential.

How often we try to rush our own growth—and the growth of those around us—instead of letting time bring the desired results. Too quickly we get discouraged, forgetting to take the long view, forgetting that all of us are works in progress. As our own worst critics, we sometimes give up on ourselves just as we reach the brink of progress.


Patience is essential if we are to enjoy the best life has to offer: happy marriages, fulfilling careers, developed talents, peace and contentment. Without patience, we rip open the bud, forever robbed of a blooming flower. Without patience, we fail to forgive and deny ourselves loving relationships. Without patience, we cannot conquer our own weaknesses and wind up avoiding anything we can’t do easily or quickly.


Patience is the loving restraint with which we watch a child try a new task—and try again. Patience with others is a form of charity, a loving willingness to wait. When we show faith that improvement will come, children and loved ones blossom with hope. Patience is giving power to others, letting them grow at their own pace.


When we choose to hold back a hasty judgment or pause before reacting, we step into a calmer sphere of peace and contentment. Our stress levels drop; our joy levels rise. And everyone around us feels the warmth of acceptance that allows growth to occur.


All beautiful gardens began as patches of soil. They became glorious only because someone was willing to wait.


Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Music and the Spoken Word
"Willingness to Wait" June 1, 2008 Broadcast

One of the things we miss are the weekly broadcasts of Music and the Spoken Word. We love the Tabernacle Choir, and though we just read the messages online now and listen to their cd's, this message shared at the most recent broadcast seemed especially applicable. It seems we have been impatient most of our lives. Wanting life to be more what we think it should be, right now. So, these words of wisdom struck home. Perhaps when things aren't working out the way we wish they would, right now, we can have a little more patience and "willingness to wait".

No comments: