NOVEMBER 15, Philippians 1:6

With a big sigh, Joy dropped her books on the table and flopped into the chair beside her mother.

“Something wrong, honey?” asked Mom. Joy nodded. “It’s Mary,” she said. “You know,that annoying girl in my class. I can’t help it- I just don’t like her at all. The best I’ve been able to do is to stop making fun of her.” “Well, judging from what you’ve told me before, it sounds like that’s an improvement,” said Mom.

“But it’s not enough!” replied Joy. “My Sunday School teacher says Jesus expects us to love people, even those who hate us, and to do good to them. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love Mary the way I’m supposed to!” She sighed. “God must be getting pretty annoyed with me,” she added.

“Ask Him to help you,” said Mom. “Pray for Mary and keep working on your attitude towards her. Dad and I will pray about it too.”“Okay,” agreed Joy. She stood up. “Can I make some chocolate chip cookies, Mom?” she asked.

“Sure,” said Mom. “Need any help?” “Nope! I can handle this,” said Joy. As she reached for the recipe book, her four-year-old brother burst into the kitchen. “Hey, buddy! Want to learn how to make cookies?” asked Joy.

“Can I?” asked Jimmy eagerly. Mom smiled. “Teaching Jimmy to make cookies will take some patience,” she warned.

“That’s okay,” said Joy. “I’ll give him all the help he needs for as long as he needs it.”

Mom nodded. “You know, from your comments about the problem you’re having with Mary, I get the impression that you think God is less patient than you are,” she said.

Joy was silent. “I think I get it,” she said after a moment. “It will take some time for Jimmy to learn to make cookies, but I’ll help him as long as he needs me. And it’s taking time for me to learn to show love to Mary, but God will help me as long as I need Him.” “Which will always be the case,” added Mom.

Thought: Are you impatient with your spiritual progress?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know I need a lot of your help in my life. If I find it difficult to show love to people I find annoying – help me not to give up. I ask for strength to keep on learning to do the things You want me to do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.