[12/16/11] Step away from the candy machine.

I've been wanting to write this post ever since I listened to this BYUI devotional a couple of weeks ago while I was getting ready for church (you can watch it here).

I've been patiently waiting (which you will find a bit humorous when I eventually share the title of the devotional) for it to be released in transcript form, because I wanted to share and record some bits and pieces from it and my memory wouldn't do it justice.

And it was just released today. I know this because I've been patiently checking nearly every. single. day. I wanted to read it and highlight it so I can remember what I'm being taught.

The title of the devotional is "Patience: A Process of Perfection."

See, I said you would find it humorous.

Because I have not been waiting as patiently as I would've liked.

Which means I can still learn more from this devotional.

So it's good I'm sharing and recording.

Sister Gee began her talk by giving some characteristics of impatience:

-Impatience is always in a hurry to get things done.

-Impatience doesn't like to take time with details.

-Impatience wants to excel at things on the first try.

-Impatience wants others to work smoothly into its plans -- it doesn't want to have to make changes or tolerate others' quirks or inadequacies.

-Impatience wants what it wants now, withouth having to wait.

-Impatience is spoiled and egocentric.

-Impatience needs to grow up.

Ouch.

Some of these hit a little too close to home.  But now that I know I'm being impatient, I can change.

Right?

Sister Gee also offered some great quotes on patience from Elder Neal A. Maxwell and President Deiter F. Uchtrdorf:

"Patience is being willing to submit to the Lord and the process of time."

"[Patience] is tied closely to our faith that God and His timing are best."

"Patience assumes that what others have to say is worth listening to and humbly values others for what they have to say and contribute."

"Patience is the ability to put our desires on hold for a time."

"Patience is actively working towards worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results don't appear instantly or without effort."

"Patience is delayind immediate gratification...accepting what cannot be changed...being firm and steadfast...abiding in faith."

Sister Gee put her own spin on these quotes and added these ideas about patience:

"Patience is a way of demonstrating faith in God by:

-Putting our desires on hold

-Submitting to His timing

-Diligently sustaining our obedience when results are not immediate or obvious

-Humbly allowing others to exercise their agency in order to progress

-Putting our desires on hold and submitting to His timing"

Sister Gee shared this great story and some other thoughts on patience:

A little boy was following his mother out of a store and became fascinated by the candy machines that were in the small alcove between the two automatic doors. Instead of following his mother out of the door, he stayed there, hoping that he could get a piece of candy from the machine. The mother had already gone through the door and, due to the automatic sensors, couldn’t get back to her son without having to walk around. In order to get to him more quickly, she indicated that he should take a step towards the door, so it would sense him and open and she could come back in the door. The boy started screaming and crying because he thought she was saying that he couldn’t have the candy and to come outside. He stood by the candy crying and refusing to take a step toward her. Because she was outside the glass he couldn’t hear her explanation.

It seems like some of us are like the boy by the candy machine. We feel that God has deprived us of something we really want, when he might actually ask us to step away from it for a time so that he can reward us with it at a later time. 

When God asks us to step away from the candy machine it is often to give us other blessings; things that He knows will make us happy and help us to grow. It is detrimental to refuse to move simply because He’s not giving us what we want right now.

Elder Maxwell wisely says, “Patience is tied very closely to our faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than his. Either way, we are questioning God’s omniscience.” 

I'm going to patiently work on being less impatient and more patient, with myself and others. 

Sounds like a great goal for the New Year.

Step away from the candy machine.

*Image courtesy of Microsoft Clipart Gallery