In high school I was with a few friends and someone referenced the patience of Job. My friend, knowing who Job was but not remembering the whole story said, "who's job?". We teased her relentlessly. Come on... It's JOB! From the bible.
Well, lately I've been asking myself that question. Who's job? How do I get the patience of Job? I think that motherhood holds a lot of routine and repetition and I loved this quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell about perfect love. Okay, it's a whole section of a talk he gave. ENJOY!
"Patience and Long-Suffering
Jesus likewise exemplifies perfect patience and long-suffering. Think of the implications of the Lord’s course, which, He tells us, “is one eternal round” (D&C 3:2). Routine and repetition may bother us, may bore us. But God and His Son, Jesus, are never bored with Their “one eternal round” because of Their perfect love. God is patient with us in process of time. He also helps by trying our patience and our faith (see 2 Thes. 1:4; James 1:3).
If left untried, those qualities, which are portable and eternal, would remain underdeveloped. There’s something about the isometrics that are involved when we’re putting off the natural man or the natural woman while striving to become the man or the woman of Christ. These isometrics are a blessing in disguise, though I grant you sometimes the blessing is well disguised.
As striving disciples, therefore, are we willing to be so mentored? Tutoringly, the Lord has said, “Ye cannot bear all things now; … I will lead you along” (D&C 78:18). He knows our bearing capacities. Though we ourselves may feel pushed to the breaking point, ere long, thanks to Him, these once-daunting challenges become receding milestones.
Even outstanding and courageous Jeremiah was once discouraged. Being mocked and persecuted, he briefly considered refraining from speaking out anymore. But then he said God’s word was “as a burning fire shut up in my bones, … and I could not stay” (Jer. 20:9). Jeremiah reached a breaking point, but he did not break!"
5 comments:
Beautiful Maggie, thank you for sharing. I often feel like my life is so blessed and easy that I must not be able to handle difficult trials.
Those are powerful words--especially as a tired mama to a new baby as well as busy and easily exasperating little kids :) Patience is tricky for me but I can only keep trying.
mags- i love this story! i was working at shivers and helping a customer, and the customer told me i had the patience of job. i think this is where the story came from. anyway, great post! i am glad we have so many memories together!
Thanks for sharing Maggie! I love that scripture by Jeremiah. President Callister would often share a quote from Brigham Young, where he says the gospel was pent up like fire in his bones and he had to share it or it would consume him. President Callister wanted each of us to pray until we had fire in our bones and wanted us to have a sign at the door that would read, "Is there fire in my bones today?"
Love the memories, I am glad you put the part it that I DID know who JOB was, but my sentance didn't come out so clear. Thanks for the spiritual lift!
Love ya!
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