From Toleration to Transformation: Are You Tolerating What Needs to Change?
We paid for our groceries and were nearing the exit door when I remembered that I’d forgotten the onions. Leaving the grocery cart with me by the door, my husband scooted over to the produce section to get the onions. I watched him from where I stood. Smiling and greeting people entering and exiting the supermarket, I’d forgotten about him. But after what seemed a long while it dawned on me that he was taking an awful long time. By now I’d become antsy. My smile abruptly transformed into a frustrated frown. I could still see him from where I stood with the groceries. He was going from one isle of produce to another and I was wondering, “What is he doing?” “I’d only asked for onions!”
I was about to call out to him in my frustration but I thought it wouldn’t be at all kosher. He was taking so long. But you know what, something very strange happened at that very moment. I heard myself say, “Okay Lord, I am going to let patience have its perfect work.” Did I say that? Now I have to be honest here. I was not thinking about being patient nor did I want to be. But God obviously used this opportunity to show me I needed to check my tolerance level. Those words literally spun in my spirit and dropped out of my mouth.