Patience

A virtue that I struggle with, and one that God has been steadily working on in my life, especially in these past months. I struggle with being patient both with people, and with God. Today my patience in both was put to the test.

I have now had Valencia for almost 6 months (hard to believe!) Having a seeing eye dog brings a great deal of attention, which has its advantages and disadvantages. I have discovered that one of the most frustrating things to me is lack of knowledge concerning laws about service animals. I have now encountered resistance to Valencia's presence in a public business 3 times. Once at a Thai restaurant. Over this past weekend at DSW. And today when I went to get a pedicure.

In the first two occasions, I attempted to remain calm and polite, but became extremely frustrated extremely quickly. However, my family has an established relationship with the people at this salon, is that what you call it? The lady we go to for pedicures is a very sweet person who likes our family. In the previous situations, I was ready in a few seconds to just have them call the police and be told that they were wrong. But I really didn't want to give these people all that trouble. So, mustering every ounce of patience I could, I very carefully explained, several times that no, I was not going to leave Valencia outside, even though people are sometimes scared or allergic to dogs, because federal laws in this country say that Valencia is allowed anywhere the general public is.

In the end, after several consultations with the owner, it was conceded that yes, Valencia could wait patiently next to the spa chair during my pedicure. And I have been rewarded with very pretty toenails, and no unnecessary police encounters.

Patience test #2 arrived today when I came home and discovered on facebook that a friend from high school is now engaged. This is not a huge surprise, she and her now fiance have been together for over 2 years. But that darn petty little part in my brain says "You've been dating for 2 months longer than they have, you should be the one to be engaged first!" But the world doesn't work that way. God's timing is different in everyone's lives, but the one thing that remains the same is that His timing is perfect. It is not time for me to be engaged, not matter how much longer Tad and I have been together than another couple. I need to accept this and be happy for what God is doing in other's lives, and what He is doing right now in my life.

This second one is a major work in progress. I suspect it will be one God and I are working on in my life long after I get engaged. There's always something more to want. I need to learn contentment. Please pray for this in my life, it's something I should perhaps consider making a New Year's resolution. Also, any suggestions on books involving patience and such would be appreciated.