Learning patience...

I have just had the opportunity to see my wife’s job at home and I know beyond ANY shadow of a doubt, with absolute confidence, I DON’T WANT IT!  I’m not capable.  Oh, it’s not the actual tasks themselves, they’re not all THAT complicated.  Well, some of them are.

• I’ll never be able to load a dishwasher like she can.  What I think is full is, in reality, half empty when she gets done really filling it.
• I haven’t tackled the clothes washer and dryer yet, but I know I’ll have to or start going “commando” (not my preference).  I am well aware that I will need extensive coaching or I’ll simply destroy clothes, which would not be my first choice.

No, it’s the patience of Job that Karen has for our girls  —  that is  —  our two golden retrievers: Jessie (the seasoned, well-mannered old girl) and Molly (the year old energized, crazy puppy).  Like kids, they never stop making demands, especially Molly, who thinks she is in charge OF EVERYTHING.  I swear, Molly has to have a bladder problem or a prostate (which I thought   females didn’t possess) because she needs to or wants to go more than I do and I’m at that age (according to TV commercials) where that’s an issue.  Personally, I think it’s just to run around, bark at any sound, chase the birds, entertain a squirrel, and come back in to get a treat for protecting the house.

First, they (Molly) wakes us (now me) up before the sun rises for trip number one.  After Jessie gets her turn, Molly wants round two.  Then it’s breakfast time (which they demand, especially Molly, since she must       recharge her energy), followed by — you guessed it  — another trip outside for both.  This is all pretty much before the sun is completely up.  This goes on all day long until it’s bedtime.

How does Karen get anything done?  In truth, the repetitiveness of doing the same stuff over and over again is what kills me.  You really never, ever get it done.  Look, guys like to tackle one job or task at a time, get it done, and move on to the next project.  How Karen does it, how any women does it, staggers the imagination.  I don’t have that kind of patience and I won’t even begin to discuss the frustration level.  The fear that tears at my heart is I will have at least two months this.  Karen’s knee surgery isn’t until the beginning of September  (a month away) with about six weeks for recovery to follow.  So there’s the stuff to do at home (regular maintenance), the things Karen needs (T.L.C.), then the girls with all their demands, and somewhere in there the needs that come from being the pastor.  I feel overwhelmed and it’s only been one week of this.

How does God put up with us?  Like my idiot puppy, we keep doing the same things (like sin  —  the same sins) over and over again.  The Lord’s frustration level must be astronomical, but He continues to love us and work with us. Talk about patience!  I’m sure glad it’s God in charge and not me.  I’d have turned us (including me) into little dust piles a long time ago.

Maybe I can have a little more patience with the girls.  I suspect, they must be frustrated with me and the way I do things because I’m not Karen, who has the patience to put up with their antics (as well as my own) and still love us, care for us, and be patient with us.

Have we got an awesome God or what?
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And those are my thoughts.  God bless.
Pastor Lee