patient for patience.

Our first Tea Room giveaway winner is announced! Click here to see if you've won. 

Last week, baby girl turned 8 months. And much like the first aggressive 'baby on a mission' picture below preciously depicts, 8 months has been one of our most challenging months thus far. My mama self has really felt the demands of this super rewarding job. I always thought I was a woman with very little patience, but after looking back at all the ups & downs we've gone through lately with sweet baby girl's innocent needs, I hope to say I, now, have a small idea of what patience looks like.

In one of it's wise ways, patience is realizing how precious time really is and recognizing that certain thoughts of wanting a moment to pass or quicken, can be selfish if you're not taking into consideration the needs, circumstances, or situation of yourself or the other. Many of us are always in a rush, wanting frustrating moments to quickly pass, or not wanting to be "put out" or effected by someone else's sidetracking situation. Well, If I didn't realize it before now, 8 months has taught me to get over myself. Being a mom is not easy but being a mom really isn't about me, is it?

Love is a selfless gift, an unconditional devotion, a sacrifice offered while not expecting anything in return. As beautiful as the faithfulness of true love is, it's sometimes hard to pursue, truly. Our stubbornness can get in the the way of love and halt us from appreciating where we are and where the ones we love currently are, right now, in this moment. Love's location isn't where we wish to be or wish other people to be, love is in the exact place we are and present where the ones we love are...and to love someone in that way, exactly where they are, while not expecting them to be any different or better than they are right now, is the way everyone deserves to be loved - and this love requires every ounce of patience we can scrounge up within ourselves.

So, for those of us trying to be a little more patient, for those of us wanting to get where we're going, and for those of us wanting someone else to be where we desire them to be...we have to be just as patient with ourselves as we hope to be with others, we have to recognize life is too short not to try to have a little more patience, and we must be patient for patience as it makes it's way into our hard-headed hearts.

::