"Impatiens "is a beautiful flower that fills many hanging baskets in the Spring and Summer seasons. It is so named because of the little elastic capsules that burst open when slightly touched and scatter the seeds with great force. These flowers are also called "touch-me-nots" or "snapweed".

The definition of "impatience" is quite another thing.

It is defined as "short of temper especially under irritation, delay or opposition" and "anxious."

I was reading about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and one of the causes listed was "impatience".

After meditating on the above I thought of how important it is to learn to be patient with ourselves and those around us. Patience is so important to our well being that God's Word lists it as one of the "fruits of the spirit." Patience is so important that the Holy Spirit begins to work that within us when we allow the in-dwelling Christ to have full control.

"Impatience" is not a flower.

James 1:4 says "Let patience have her perfect work."

There is even an exhortation to patience in Hebrews 6:12..."be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

We are admonished not to give up, to quit, to "throw in the towel" by the Word of God, which reads:

"Cast not away your confidence which has great recompense of reward, for you have need of patience that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise." (He. 10:35-36)

We live in a hurry-up world of fast foods and fast lanes. Everyone is after instant gratification and quick closure.

The Kingdom of God is not so.

God really loves flowers. He made so many of them! I believe He grows His children like flowers. When we have a calling from God upon our lives we can rest assured He will carry out that calling and link us together with others who He has hand picked for the purpose of our growth. God will cover all the bases. He will deal with the depths of our s oul. The intricate nature of our innermost being is not hidden from His all knowing Eye.

Although it is with much mercy and compassion God Himself will cause us to take a deep look inside our own hearts and break up the fallow ground there to allow the seed of His Word to grow. When that happens, it takes time...just like it takes time to grow a really beautiful rose that is fully mature and will open to the sun.

I've seen the roses sold in discount centers that never received the proper care, nutrients or sunlight in the right amounts. They sometimes never open but remain in the bud state and die in that state.

This happens to some Christians.

God so desires us to embrace His idea of "patience".

If you have ever noticed, a rosebud often has no fragrance. It is only wh en the rose is mature that it opens and the fragrance is released! That opening takes time.

Impatience is not a flower. .

Being confident of this very thing: that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phillipians 1:6)

Article is copyrighted by Sondra Stallman.
May not reprint without permission from author.