I am thoroughly convinced that patience is the ultimate superpower of Christianity. If you have patience, you can deal with difficult people, impossible situations, you name it, you can pull through it — if you have patience.
Growing up, I was taught that praying for patience was like asking for a good burger with a side of Montezuma’s revenge. Not a good idea. My Sunday school teacher *taught* me how to pray for patience, she said, “Pray this, instead. Lord, help me to help myself to learn how to be patient”. You know, the whole indirect approach.
I’ve prayed like that a few times and hunched my shoulders, ready for the barrage of unfortunate events to follow just such a prayer. None. *whew* But, I have definitely had my share of events to teach me patience over the years.
My most recent, and current, lesson in patience has been with our living situation. Good lord. For the past four years, I have lived away from all of my family and friends in the middle of Central Pennsylvania. It’s not been easy. The culture here is so, so different and hard to adjust to. As a matter of fact, I’m still not adjusted and don’t see myself adjusting anytime soon. I have adapted, but I don’t want to change who my inner person is, because, well, I’m not a Pennsylvanian. 
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
This year was the year. This year we were going to move back to California. My husband will be finished with school the 10th of May with a Bachelor’s in accounting and we were planning to head out west. Well, we crunched a few numbers, looked at the budget and I lost it, just for a minute, because there was NO way we could move back this year. It’s not possible to live in California off of $40,000 a year (at least in the area we were hoping to move back to) and be in a nice neighborhood, financially stable and financially worry free. So, oh, patience. Yes, remember, if there is one thing I’m learning while living out here, it is most definitely patience. It seemed like God forgot about me, because I had prayed so earnestly that after D was finished with school we would move back without issue.
Embrace. That’s the main thing I’ve learned. Embrace the experience and find the good. I can’t always find the good, truth be told. But, I’ve seen the results of being patient and they’re always very, very rewarding.
So, even though it’s been a long time coming and our plans have been interrupted, life is looking up for us. God has smiled on our family and shown me the good. Since D started interning for the firm, his boss has been so impressed that he asked D if he would consider working there full time! Now, just imagine, if we I had pushed and pushed to move back to California he would have not had this wonderful opportunity to gain all this experience.
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
― Aristotle
As much as patient is a bitter pill to swallow, the reward is sweet indeed.
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. James 1: 3
I am also learning patience through a lot of life situations. I am glad you shared this story and that you have seen some positive benefits from not moving back to the West Coast like you wanted. Who knows, God may take you somewhere better!
Yes! I am still in the throes, but sometimes it helps to write about things like this for me. So glad you enjoyed my story and I know God is looking out for us *because, honestly, I’m the type of girl who wants to read the last chapter in the book, so, this whole waiting on God can be tough!*
MISHA! CONGRATS ON D GETTING A FULL TIME JOB! That is awesome for you guys. God is going to give you all the desires of your hearts. But it’s always on His timing
Wow. Thank you for this amazing post. I, too, am going through a financial situation, & feel frustrated and alone. This helped remind me that God is in control & that all I can do now is pray, praise & wait.
Glad you got a little encouragement! Just keep holding on