July 25, 2023

Dear friends,

There is a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin’s dad tries to teach his son the virtue in patience. They are grilling hamburgers in the backyard on an old charcoal grill. Calvin is complaining that he is hungry, and his dad tells him he will just have to wait until the coals get hot. He tells him that this is a good thing because he can enjoy being outside, looking at the sunset, seeing the fireflies coming out, those kinds of things. Calvin sits silently for a second then asks, “So do I need to go to McDonald’s, or what?”

It is said that patience is a virtue, and scripture even tells us that patience is a fruit of the Spirit (this is the theme of the week at Camp Glisson, where 25 of our students have gone this summer and where I was the “theologian in residence” last week.) So why are we still so bad at it? I read an article recently that advocated for boredom. Due to the way our world works, we almost never HAVE to be bored again, but without boredom, how will we let our minds wander? How will we learn patience, or take notice of the world around us?

We all face challenges every day. The challenges are different in every stage of life, and because we are the ones going through our own struggles it seems like our challenge is the most important. It is also understandable that we want to fix what is wrong right away. But sometimes, what is needed at the moment, is patience. Patience with ourselves, our children, our parents, our friends, our bosses, our coworkers, workers at the stores, or strangers on the street. In Isaiah 40:31, it says, but those who wait upon the Lord shall be blessed. As we wind down summer and move toward the beginning of school, I am trying to be patient. Because I know that God’s spirit is moving at Embry Hills, and in my life, and it may take some time. In the meantime, I’m trying to listen and notice what is going on around us.

Peace,

Jordan