Day 20

"'Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.'"

Matthew 12:35-38

Well, halfway through the experiment, I'm definitely feeling closer to God. I am aware of my negative qualities and challenges as both a Christian and a future minister, but I am also more apt to pray, serve, and try to be more like Jesus, even when I fail. I'm only human--I'm not Jesus, and I never claimed to be. But I am a Christ follower, and as such, I should follow his commands and example for my life. Thanks to all of you who are cheeirng and praying me on, because this has not been an easy journey, but it was one I felt compelled to take.

I know that the verse above is more about being patient for Jesus' return, but I think it applies to patience in general, as well. I babysat from 8:30 this morning until 7 this evening, so I figured that would be a good test of my patience. At the first house, the little girl didn't want to go to sleep for her morning OR afternoon nap, so I had to wait out the sadness and crying, which is always sad.

At the next house, the baby boy cried as soon as he woke up from his nap, and then he cried a ridiculous amount afterward. Having a baby scream in my ear is definitely a test of patience. It didn't help that I finally calmed him down by going outside, and he immediately freaked out when we went back outside. Didn't he understand that I had to listen for his sister on the baby monitor? Another test...

The last family went great. Daniel was super excited to see me, and clearly missed me while I was gone for several weeks. He didn't make me want to scream, and it was probably one of the best days I've had with him. No more tests of patience.

I'm not by nature a patient person. But Jesus reminds me that life brings plenty of situations that require watching and waiting. Besides the day to day problems that we face, there is the greater waiting for Jesus' return. We have to be alert and waiting expectantly to usher in that great day. I will have to develop much better patience if I can wait for that day without going crazy. More praying!