Patience and Contentment

"Hurry! I think they're only open half-day today," I told my son who was needing a haircut. His daddy was running errands and I felt bad if he would still be the one to take our son to the barber shop.

Waiting to be called, my son and I sat on the green, plastic chairs and as he started reading a car magazine, two little boys with their daddy caught my attention.

The first tyke just got done with his haircut and as his father rose from the barber's chair, he started looking at the glass shelves where some baseball cards and little toy cars were neatly arranged to be sold. He started peering at the baseball cards on top and yelled, "I want one now!". The daddy made some suggestion and gave the names on the baseball cards to which the toddler said, "No!" The father carried him on his arms and he started bawling, "I want one daddy! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh," the crying started to fade as the door closed behind them. Everyone was just smiling after witnessing what had just transpired.

Another cute little boy emerged from the other barber's seat. With a little grin on his face, he calmly approached a green chair at the waiting area, as he waited for his daddy to get done with his haircut, too. He got up and like a big man, carefully held a magazine and walked back to where he was sitting, smiling the whole time and as quiet as a mouse. His little fingers were combing his newly-cut locks on the back of his head. He got up again and walked quietly toward the shelf where the magazines were laid out. He closed the magazine he was reading and neatly put it back on top. His daddy got up from the chair and smiling, the little toddler approached his daddy and out they went towards the door. He didn't even ask his father to buy him anything from the shelf. Everyone was smiling again and talking with our eyes, we seemed to agree that this little boy was the complete opposite of the other one. It wasn't the haircut that made him cuter but his gentle, quiet ways in him and that contented smile on his face.

When waiting for our Daddy to answer our requests [prayers], are we impatient like the first tot or are we willing to be calm to patiently wait for His answers? Should we get upset and bawl out when our answers don't get answered? What if our Daddy says:

1. "Okay, you can have it!"

2. "No! I won't give it to you."

3. "Not at this time."

4. "Maybe later."

How do we respond to those answers from the One Who truly knows what's good and bad for us?

Can we keep smiling like that second toddler, not even asking for anything but just contented that he had a haircut like his daddy; that he and his daddy had a great time together that morning?

Father, help us remember that when we learn to become impatient as we wait for our prayers to be answered, we must also learn to trust You, our heavenly Father, for You always have our best interests in mind. Give us a heart that doesn't conform to worldly things but help us set our minds on heavenly things. Help us dear Lord to be contented and be joyful with Your presence in our lives.

Forgive us for the times that when we want something, we tend to turn our backs on You when You don't answer our prayers. Forgive us when we become impatient and when we forget that everything happens in Your perfect time, a time that is completely different from the kind that we have.

Thank You Lord for the times that You carry us in Your arms when we cry for things that we don't even truly need. Thank you for providing us all of our needs. Thank you for making us co-heirs with Christ. Thank You for loving us unconditionally. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

[Contemporary English Version]:

Psalm 27:14 - "Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD."

Proverbs 14:29 -"It's smart to be patient, but it's stupid to lose your temper."

Romans 12:12 -"Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying."

Isaiah 40:31 -" But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired."