Patience

Lilac-breasted roller, Kenya

We saw the movie A Day in the Neighborhood this week. Its cadence was slow in a patient, thoughtful way, reflecting the character of Mister Rogers himself. In his interactions with people there would sometimes (often) be long pauses. Silence would fill the space while he’d attentively consider his neighbor – sometimes to their discomfort – seeing into their soul even as he drew from his own. Hurry was not in his vocabulary or demeanor. Only patience. Patience that annoyed some who wanted to get on with the task at hand. Soul piercing patience that angered those who wanted to stay hidden behind their prickly defense mechanisms. Patience willing to wait without judgement, to love his neighbor into wholeness. With a contagious calm, Mister Rogers loved people into loving themselves.

I believe Mister Rogers reflected the patience of God. Scripture says we wait for a new heaven and new earth where righteousness is at home…and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation (2Peter 3:14-15). While we wait for a promise of a new and hope-filled earth (aka, wait for it to be fixed), God is patient waiting for us. Looking into our souls past images we project. Shattering with grace the consequences of our own doing and unforgiveness. Drawing us out of hiding behind barriers of distrust and shame into loving ourselves…so that we might love our neighbor.

Like Mister Rogers who waited patiently for people’s real self to break free, God is patient. And God’s patience is our saving grace – rather than be condemned or forgotten, Love waits for us to love ourselves…and our neighbor. Then righteousness will be at home.

In this Advent season of waiting, grant me the grace to be patient and loving with my own faults and defenses that I may in turn be patient in loving my neighbor. This is the work of righteousness.

In this together…