Patience and kindness are the cornerstone of love. The bedrock. The foundation from which every other stone is laid.
"Love is patient, Love is kind."
I Corinthians 13:4
Patience is that one virtue able to withhold my anger, my demands, my frustrations. It leads me to stop and listen first, rather than feel restless and anxious to be heard. It calms my spirit so I can see from a different perspective. It is that one attribute that brings internal calmness to an external tumultuous storm because it says, "We all fail. We all make mistakes." Grace and mercy are extended rather than judgment and vengeance. My reaction to the tough circumstances in my life is a mirror image of my patience, or more often, my lack thereof.
If patience is a demonstration of my reaction, kindness is love in action. Patience paves the way, preparing the heart to act kindly toward my husband, my children, my family and those around me. Patience avoids arguments, while kindness extends a blessing.
"Do not let kindness and truth leave you...write them on the tablet of your heart."
Proverbs 3:3
About six months ago when we were going through very rough times, my daughter said, "Mommy, our home is very broken, isn't it?" We had not practiced patience, nor kindness as evidenced in our home for even the children to see. Patience and kindness don't come easily and they don't reign in my heart just yet. This small rock, found in a hidden, secret place, will now serve as a constant reminder of these two cornerstones of love.
Follow the trail of hearts at Rebecca Sower's Heart Sessions.
