From James 5:11:  “Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Totally unexpected, overwhelming

Lingering cracks appearing along life’s road

Tripping, stumbling, and finally crashing down

Shattering confidence, from life’s heavy load

Floundering, drowning . . . caught in river’s rapids

Endlessly swimming, lost at pool’s deepest end

Feet never finding firm ground, dour fear arrives

Replacing life’s daylight with night at each bend

Life’s turbulence teaches us lasting patience

With the Lord, with ourselves, and with life’s curve balls

Fumbling life’s slippery game ball once again

God’s love sends patience after every fall

Endurance of Job, life’s journey shall require

Living with patience, frees us from each briar

From Galatians 5:22-25:  “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against such things.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”

Originally published October, 2020.