November 24, 2025
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. ~ Ephesians 4:2 International Children’s Bible
Bored Grandma – Google Images
I’ve been told that I am a patient person. True, and not true. It was challenging to be patient for five months while waiting for our house to be ready. It’s hard to be patient when a flight is delayed, or when I am caught in traffic on Interstate 95. And as much as I love my grandchildren, I found it challenging to be patient when they wanted to play pretend for too long. There was a stage in each of my granddaughters’ childhoods when they wanted to play make-believe house, or doctor, or school. It was hardest to play with enthusiasm when they changed the rules frequently, directing me on what I was supposed to be doing. (I might have control issues.)
When our oldest granddaughter, Lilian, was young, she usually wanted to play hospital. I was the designated sick or injured patient. I ran dangerously high fevers, had numerous surgeries for my tonsils or appendix, which regretfully always grew back, broke every appendage, and had to endure lying in “bed” for long periods of time. I admit that I felt bored. I’d have played a board game, kickball, or made cookies instead. As I played along, it hit me that I was paying the price of admission into her life.
Fast forward 16 years. Lily is in her third year in the nursing program at Elon University, is putting her heart into the coursework, and loves the practicums. She was accepted into an externship next summer in Chapel Hill, working in the NICU. I am glad I was her play-patient all those years ago.
I suspect that many of the situations in life that are tedious, repetitive, and boring pay the price of admission for relationships with friends, spouses, children, siblings, neighbors, community, and ourselves (often the hardest person we must deal with). They reflect God’s faithful patience with us.
Be patient and accept each other with love. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 