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Getting to the End


The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes 7:8) 

            In Love As A Way Of Life, Gary Chapman writes about patience. He defines patience as "Allowing someone to be imperfect." In relationships, patience involves listening, getting the facts, facing anger, and focusing on the problem, not the person. Some people have told me that I'm patient. I guess when I don't laugh in their faces I might be showing a little patience. After all, I'm allowing them to be imperfect and giving them time to discover their error on their own. 
            But, real patience? My real response when people get in my way, slow me down, make me angry, disappoint me, don't do what I tell them to, etc.? Well, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again, harder, a little louder, with the jaw clenched. Clearly, they didn't hear me the first time. Of course, there's the other answer that's a classic of mind: "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." When I get done, then I'll help you figure it out.
            The past year has been an opportunity to learn patience. I hope I've made some progress, but much more is needed. Mr. Smalley suggests to principles for developing patience: 1) Find a method to break the negative patterns that have developed over time and 2) Replacing it with a positive behavior. This works. I've done it before. I figured out that my mild "road rage" wasn't a good thing, and started listening to books while I was driving. I quickly got to the point where it didn't bother me at all to be delayed in my car. One more idea is to keep today's passage in mind - that where we are in is in the middle, and when we get to the end, it will be better if we just let it be.

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