Patience

James 1:12  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
This summer I was looking online for a daily devotion that would just appear in my inbox each morning.  I came across Girlfriends in God.  www.girlfriendsingod.com  Each morning I couldn't wait to open my mail to see what I would learn and what God was telling me.  I kind of felt like this devotion was the telephone between God and myself.  I used GIG to open my heart and mind to my Lord.  I didn't know it at the time, but now I see how God used this devotion to open my heart and mind to a direct relationship with Him.  I still look forward to reading GIG each morning, but I don't rely on it the way I used to.  I don't need the telephone to hear God anymore.  I know how to talk without having an interpreter.  I know how to listen without a middle person. 
Mary Southerland is one of my favorites.  Her last passage from Friday, December 31st, talked about Patience.  It made me stop and really think about how to practice patience AND how once again, things are not in my control.  Mary says  "What is patience? To be patient is to have the ability to endure, but it doesn't stop there. Patience must also have the capacity to be wronged and not retaliate. In other words, patience is love persevering and love waiting. We are not only to be patient in the way we face difficult situations but in our relationships as well."  Wow, she says it best - kinda sums up life doesn't it? 
The first time I REALLY opened my ears and heart to God and REALLY heard HIM speak to me, He said "Be strong little one, you will persevere."  My stomach did flip flops!  I couldn't believe I had ACTUALLY HEARD God talk to me?!?!?  After that, it became easier to really HEAR. 
I have however been running out of patience lately and haven't heard God for awhile.  I know it's not because He's not trying to speak to me, it's because I have been sooooo impatient and am not taking the time to really listen. 
Yesterday's reading in Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young talked about God's presence and how we must completely let go of ourselves and the control we feel we need to have and let God take the reigns.  Why is that so hard to do? 
In Colossians 1:11, the apostle Paul writes, God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient!

I can do it.  You can do it.  We can do it.  Through God, patience, and perseverance. 
Be strong little one; you will persevere.