“Patience Makes Perfect,” photograph by Felecia R. Weber, OntheWingofaDove.com

Patience makes perfect…there is a grace and elegance that is born out of the discipline of waiting…so it is with patience.

Perfection, that is not a word that describes human nature, although it is something that we all strive to attain in some form or another.  “When I accomplish this…when I get that…then things will be perfect.” Haven’t we all uttered those words and haven’t they always more often than not, failed to come true?  And so we go round and round, treading the same circle of trying to achieve that, which is unattainable.  Add to that our fierce desire for instantaneous gratification, and we likely miss the mark altogether.

“Patience makes perfect;” what an odd sounding phrase…but is it really?  When we wait and take our time and let things flow and play out as they should; isn’t it then that things work out better?  I can recall countless times in my own life when I’ve tried to make things happen, rearranging this, frantically reacting to that, and before I know it, I become so frustrated and overwhelmed that I don’t get anything done.  In fact, I sometimes have made the situation far worse.  It’s a funny thing…in trying to achieve perfection; I get the furthest away from it.

“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4

Indeed, patience makes perfect…not perfection in its purest sense.  Rather, there is grace and elegance that is born out of the discipline of waiting…it produces a richness that flourishes in maturity.  We see that principle all around us.  An athlete must train day after day before his body reaches peak physical condition; a process that may take months or years even.  But all of that time and effort are well worth it as he proudly steps up to the platform to receive the honor of first place.  A mother-to-be blossoms during her many months of gestation.  Her anticipation is full of excitement and apprehension for she knows the bitter sweetness that will come when it is time to bear her precious child.  Patience spawns a beauty that is the perfect reward for our efforts…a perfection that is well worth the wait.

Whatever you are striving for, may you achieve it through patience and receive your perfect reward.

Peace and love,

Felecia