Love is patient

The only way to grow in the virtue of patience is to wait for it.

Ironic, isn't it? (In fact, every virtue is that way.  If we want to grow in it we have to exercise it.  We ust practice gentleness, mercy, or cheerfulness is we want to be more so gentle, merciful or cheerful.)

Why is patience important, you may ask?

Because love is patient. (I didn't say that, St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4)

There is a saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  I think that is because when a person you care about is absent your heart then stretches as it longs for their presence.  

The only reason that the heart "grows fonder" is because it first loves.

What is God asking you to wait for?  

He often (in fact, always) has tremendous graces awaiting us yet He sees our hearts aren't (for various reasons) quite ready for them.  He allows desire to well up within us; desire for the good things He wants to give.  This desire expands the heart and allows for a greater capacity to receive an even greater good (better than what we would have received if God just gave us what we wanted right away.)

Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Matthew 6:33 has it that we should, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you besides."

Translation?  Don't primarily seek the gift but seek the Giver and trust that He is preparing not only the perfect gift but also your heart to receive it in a more perfect way.  The present absence will make your heart grow fonder for when the future presence (of the gift) comes.

What you want is to grow in love but love is patient.

You want to jump into the pool but He may first be asking you to sit with Him in the sun for a while.  

So be patient, yes, but wait with Him while you're waiting on Him.

There is a reason He wants to sit with you for a while.

Trust Him!

-MM