Getting in and out of the house with three little ones (and a growing pregnant belly) isn’t always the easiest task. I try to say, “It’s time to go!” 15-minutes before it’s actually time to go because that’s usually about how long it takes to wrangle up the kids and get them into the van. And, I’m always adding on minutes to our travel time to so that we’re not always running late. But, most of the time, we’re running late.
It’s not just getting out of the house that takes longer. Getting back in the house can take just as long. And, we always seem to have double the amount of stuff to carry in as we did when we came out. Thankfully, my 4-year old knows how to unlock the door with the key. So, when Mommy’s pack-muling the load and sheep-herding the other two littles, at least the door gets opened. The stuff only makes it halfway in the door before I have to set it down to help take off shoes and coats. Once the kids are settled I’ll grab the things I left in the doorway and put them away. By the time I’m done I’m (ready for a nap) on to the next mom-mission.
It seems as though everything takes longer with kids. But, I’ve also realized that it’s because they’re still learning. A lot of these things are still new for them. I mean, building a skill that will last a lifetime isn’t something that just happens in an instant. It takes time.
Teaching my children how to care for themselves is an investment. It’s an investment into their future, but it’s also an investment into my own future. Because the more independent they are, the more they’re able to contribute. Sure, I can get impatient, frustrated, or discouraged, but the more I recognize their eagerness and willingness to learn, the more patient I become.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 NIV)
Patience goes a long way. And, the more I look to strengthen my patience, the more I recognize the fruits of my labor. For instance, my 4-year old being able to unlock the door for me, my 3-year old taking himself to the bathroom, and my 1-year old putting her own dirty clothes down the laundry shoot.
I feel like the same principals apply when a manager trains a new employee at work, or when a teacher introduces a new subject to students. If they’re learning skills that will last, it’s not always going to click right away. I think this applies to faith as well.
Paul puts this pretty plainly in his first letter to Corinth. There’s a little bit of a quarrel happening among the people—a disagreement of who’s work is right and who’s work is wrong. When Paul addresses the people, he refers to them as “babies in Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3) He knows that the newly formed church isn’t going to operate smoothly without the help of a mother (or so to speak). So, he takes this opportunity to teach them that the dispute isn’t over who’s right and who’s wrong. Instead, he shows them that every person’s work for the kingdom of God is important; whether planting, watering, laying foundation, or building.
What if Paul heard about their dispute and decided it wasn’t worth his time? What if he thought it would take too long to resolve? What if he just walked away….or what if he just took over and didn’t let them learn at all? I have a feeling that the church of Corinth could have gone one of two ways: they could have given up completely or they could have kept on going about things the wrong way. Either way, it would have been a short or long journey to an obsolete church.
Sometimes I feel this way with my kiddos, too. When I reach those impatient moments (the one’s that make me feel like I’m losing my mind) I have a choice to make. I can give up and do it myself or I can seize the teaching opportunity. The first option is quicker at first, but it also prolongs my child’s dependence on me. The second one takes a long time at first, but the benefits will outlast my lifetime.
Paul knew that he needed to be ready to seize every opportunity to teach others who were young in their faith. And, because he cared about the people, and he wanted them to succeed, he took the extra time to teach them. He knew that he was investing into a future that would go beyond his lifetime. It's incredible to think that the church of today is still benefiting from his message.
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”(2 Timothy 4:2 ESV)
So, when those moments arise (you know, those moments that require a little extra patience) I’ll be looking for the teaching opportunity. I’ll recognize that new beginnings, although slow at first, create great forevers. Because my children will teach their children, and their children will teach their children. And, every generation forward will benefit from the patience that I have now.
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV)
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