Longsuffering

Sunday was Little Bit’s Birthday!! We didn’t have a huge party this year, but it was still a very exciting and exhausting day for a seven-year-old: two church services, all the presents, all the cake, all the playing…

So, Monday morning was not so exciting. The tired Birthday Princess definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and absolutely nothing was going the way she wanted it to. When we finally made it through the morning necessitities, she wanted to draw using a “learn to draw” book that shows the steps for drawing cute little animals – super cool, but very frustrating for my little perfectionist (don’t know where she gets that from).

During every single step, maybe every line, I heard cries of frustration, pleas for help, and the frequent, “This doesn’t look right!” We had the same conversation several times about how the cat she was drawing would be her cat, not exactly like the one in the book, and that her drawings would get better every time she practiced. Didn’t help. I finally told her she had to finish the drawing without talking (so mean, right?).

Fast forward to today (Tuesday) during my morning prayer time…I have been making a conscious effort to praise and give thanks more, but honestly, I ask for a lot. I thought about how I ask for help and other requests for myself and on the behalf of others all day long. Then I thought about how many other people must be praying, too, and how that adds up to a whole lot of pleading.

But rather than tell me to be quiet, the Lord wants to hear from me. I imagine that sometimes my requests have to be wearisome, but God’s Word actually tells us to, “pray without ceasing.” Now that is longsuffering beyond my understanding!!! I am so thankful for the privilege, through Jesus, to be able to talk to God our Father about anything and everything.

By the way, Little Bit did end up drawing a cute little cat with blue wings (her personal touch), but she had to point out all the things wrong with her masterpiece when she finished lol. I thought it was wonderful 🙂