Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 March 2008 12:58:16
Today I am learning patience. This is a virtue that I have, after 30 years of being a Christian, still not managed to gain. One of the things I find most difficulty with is being patient when dealing with people who are unable to comprehend things, no matter how many times that you explain things.
I have a work colleague who is often in a land far, far away from that in which everyone else lives. This makes it very frustrating when you have urgent things for them to do but hear them talking about old TV programmes, their friend's private lives and sundry other non-related things.
Maybe it's because I have always worked at a higher pace than many other people and have customers who do the same. My customers are usually very demanding and expect a fast and efficient service; as result I am the same. That is why they deal with me and my competitors.
I'm also finding ir frustrating working with overseas offices who lack the efficiency and drive that I expect. We have an agent in Spain who I have begun working with who operate at the pace of a tortoise on very, very strong medicine that makes them drowsy and unable to operate a computer.
In the past week they have quoted me for a job and then raised the price 3 times. So much so that I am only just managing to make any money on it. No matter what you say they will not budge and just threaten not to do the job unless you pay them what they want. I have also discovered that they are now trying to take this business by dealing direct with my customer - even though they don't actually understand what is required to do the work.
So I am finding that God is still trying to teach my patience but I'm still struggling with the challenge. He wants me to be forgiving and gentle but I want to use missiles, artillery and blitzkreig tactics instead. If I feel like this then how much greater can the frustration be for God? He has had to deal with billions of humans who cause Him no end of frustration and anger. Yet, for some reason, He still has the patience to deal with and, more importantly, forgive us.
One day I hope that I'll attain that patience for myself but I can't honestly see it happening that quickly.