I AM NOT PATIENT.
;It is not a trait that I have cultivated in my adulthood. Sometimes I do try to be patient; the trying usually doesn’t last very long.
When I was in my 30’s I was studying with a Native American Elder – Medicine Man. Things weren’t going all that great in my life at the time so when I was asked what I wanted to “pray for”, I responded, “I need to pray for patience.”
Grandpa Robert looked steadily at me for so long that I blurted out, “What?”
He then patted the chair next to himself, and when I sat down he continued to stare at me without speaking.
Finally when I stopped squirming and grimacing he asked, “Do you have any idea what will happen when you pray for patience?”
It was my turn to stare wordlessly at him.
“You will be tested, your patience will be tested in every conceivable way – and in ways that you can NOT conceive of.” He spoke the words slowly and clearly.
I scrunched my eyes.
“Right!” he went on, “I doubt if you need your patience tested anymore than it is already being tested.”
I nodded in agreement.
After a few moments of quiet contemplation, I muttered “Strength.”
He turned his Cherokee blue eyes at me…his face crinkled into a loving smile. “Strength would be a good thing,” he said gently
We lit the Medicine Pipe and smoked together.
Today would be a good day to pray for Strength.