NOVEMBER 17, Colossians 1:11

“But, Mom,” pleaded Joey as he and his mother sat at the kitchen table, “it didn’t cost so much.” He came home with a video game that he had seen in a store window, and he was afraid his Mother was going to make him return it.

“It seems like you often spend your money on things you play with for a few days, then hardly use again,” said Mom.

“But, Mom, this is different,” Joey insisted. “I really want this game.”

Mom sighed reluctantly. “I’d like to see you develop a little more patience when it comes to spending money,” she said, “but we’ve talked about this before. It’s your pocket money, so... okay.”

Joey was elated. “Thanks a lot, Mom!” he exclaimed. Joey’s excitement over his new game soon fizzled. It was not as much fun as he had expected. Before long, it lay unused on a shelf.

“I haven’t seen you play with your new game lately,” Mom said one evening. Joey fidgeted in his chair. “Are you mad at me for buying it?” he asked as he glanced at his mother.

Mom smiled. “No, Joey, I’m not mad at you,” she said, “but I think God can teach both of us something through this.” Joey was puzzled. “Both of us?”

Mom nodded. “Yes, both of us,” she repeated. “You wanted that game so much that you didn’t ask for my advice, and you wouldn’t listen when I gave it to you anyway. Sometimes I’m like that, too.”

“You are?” asked Joey. Mom nodded. “I’m thinking of times when I knew something I wanted was too expensive or might not be good for me, so I didn’t talk to God about it. There were also times I wasn’t sure whether something I wanted was a good idea, but I went ahead without asking for God’s guidance. I wasn’t patient enough to seek His will.”

Joey looked at his mom in surprise. “Let’s pray that God will teach us both an important lesson in patience, shall we?” suggested Mom. Joey smiled and nodded.

Thought: How much patience do you show from day to day? Patience is a virtue God wants to see in your life.

Prayer: Teach me, Heavenly Father, the beauty of patience. Even though I am still young, I want to learn patience, for without it, I would probably grumble, criticise, and be unhappy about many things. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.