Wednesday, October 15, 2014

WOYWW: Slow and Sure!

 My desk wasn't much of a mess
when I woke up this morning.
That's because I shoved all the mess
into a plastic bag and dumped it under my table!

 I needed to find a picture which I could transform
into a woman holding a basket of fruit.

 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, 
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 
gentleness, self-control." Galatians 5:22-23
Would you believe there is a church in Florida 
that promises a 22-minute service? 
Their songs and prayers are short, 
and the preaching is 8 minutes long! 
I have heard some Catholics say, 
"Let's go to such and such church, 
Father____ gives a short homily."

 We get impatient when it takes long to get our meal served, 
when the wifi is slow, 
when the line at the bank goes on forever, 
when we are asked to wait at the doctor's office, 
when the cable man does not arrive quickly enough!

 Unfortunately there is no express counter 
to line up to get the fruits of the Spirit. 
These all need to grow in us, 
and God has His own way and His own timing. 
It's a slow but sure process. 
And usually we don't know when we are being tested 
for patience, kindness, self-control, generosity... 
If God wants us to practice being loving, sometimes 
He'll send us the hardest person to love! 
Slow and painful!

 Lord, You are my gardener and 
You want me to bloom with beautiful fruit! 
Thank you for lovingly pruning me and taking care of me!

...only faith working through love." Gal.5:6
It's not easy to remember to love, 
to be kind, to forbear, to not be impatient, 
as we go through our day. 
Sometimes we forget WHY we do things. 
A mother can get so busy preparing her kids for school, 
getting herself ready for work, 
that she shouts at her toddler irritably, 
not realizing that she's really doing 
all these because she loves her family.
God blessed our family with a business 
that has provided not only for us, 
but for employees and suppliers as well. 
Some of our suppliers have put their kids through school 
because we've bought products from them for years. 
Others are able to buy medicine 
and to pay for weekly dialysis. 
Sometimes to get someone started, 
we provide capital, tools, training, and that's very fulfilling. 
But once in a while I forget to love, to be kind, 
and I get really angry and impatient with an employee, 
a supplier who makes a mistake. 
My niece Elyse once said, 
"Don't mess with Auntie Patsy today!" 
And I kind of woke up from my bad mood and laughed.

18 comments:

  1. Happy WOYWW - another wonderful painting. Helen 5

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  2. Beautiful Painting you've created :) hugs Nikki 8

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  3. AWESOME reminder!!! I tend to be very impatient too, and I need to just *wait* on His perfect timing. Good things take time to grow!! Big hugs!

    Your artwork never fails to inspire - you rock!!!

    Happy Crafting!
    Jeannie #21

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  4. A fab painting , happy woyww Jill #24

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  5. Thanks for the reminder, Patsy! I have to remember that a lot, while caring for Mum who, to be honest, can drive me round the bend! It is hard to bite my tongue, until I can think about what the Saviour puts up with from me! Happy WOYWW, Chris # 16

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  6. How true, Patsy. So often I forget to ask Father to continue to grow these fruits in my life - the daily round takes over, and there goes yet another opportunity for growth.
    Take care. God bless.
    Margaret #6

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  7. Wise words sweet Patsy. I can utterly sympathise with the plastic-bag-under-the-desk scenario, what fascinates me more is how you 'see' images when you browse magazines..amazing!

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  8. Looking lovely there. Had to smile at the sweep it into a bag under your table...don't we all do that?
    Hugs Lisax #31

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  9. Hi there.
    It's been a while but I have finally got to sharing my desk again!
    Your words are always inspiring, thank you for sharing.
    Now I am just trying to catch up with all the people I've missed over the last couple of months.
    Hope you have a lovely week.
    Neil #46

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  10. That picture is awesome, very real and life like
    Bridget #48

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  11. Shoving stuff into a bag or a box and hiding it under the table is always a good solution! Problem is, you can never find anything after that! Your portrait is amazing! It's nice to see how you developed it! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle #50

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  12. I agree shoving stuff under the table works for me Lol!
    Love the journal page. Happy crafting, Angela x 41

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  13. Hi Patsy
    thank you for your inspirational words, I am visiting although not leaving comments, I look forward to reading your studies as they are a big help to me.
    Bishopsmate #59

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  14. Your artwork and words are inspiring. Thank you for sharing a great reminder for all of us. Have a blessed evening! Hugs, Rasz

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  15. Wonderful picture and inspiration. Peg R #77

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  16. What wonderful thoughts today, Patsy, and how very true they are! The gifts of the Holy Spirit can be used immediately, even by the newest new-born Christian, but the fruits take time to develop, and need feeding with daily immersion in the Word, and as you so rightly say, interfacing with the world and learning to love the unlovely! I remember hearing someone saying once that if you pray for patience, your patience will be tested at every turn! Be careful what you pray for lol!! Also, that to test a fruit, we squeeze it to see if it's ripe. When people do this to us it can be painful!!

    I love your painting for today. So beautiful, and so apt.

    Happy belated WOYWW,
    Shoshi #37

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  17. Beautiful work this week. Such an inspiration. I love seeing where peoples creativity arises from. Sorry I am so late getting around this week but I can only sit so long and I start to hurt! I hate cold weather! Have a great week and thanks for sharing! Vickie #76

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  18. Waiting is surely painful and as John Green said, pain demands to be felt.... I'm not one of those persons who have that endless source of patience, especially on waiting. One thing I learned though,waiting brings out the best stories. It makes the stories of our lives more memorable and valuable. We tend to appreciate the things that took some time to arrive, with our patience, persistence,determination and of course,prayers and faith.

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I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy