"My brethren, count it a joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance or perseverance)." -James 1:2-3

I have joked around before saying "I used to pray for patience, and then I got Eli." What I mean to say, in all seriousness, is that "I prayed for patience and God gifted me Eli!" I truly believe:
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." - James 1:17

Patience:
-the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complain, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
-an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay
-quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence

When Eli is acting like a sloth, I say "be a cheetah!" It's time to go somewhere and we need to put shoes on, you'll much too often hear the words come flying out of my mouth: "Come on! Let's go! Hurry up and get your shoes on!" Oh, another good one..... waiting in line anywhere: "Be patient. Wait your turn."

I don't know why I'm in such a hurry most of the time! Why ask, no pray, for patience and push it aside just to beat the clock? So what if we're late. What's the worst thing that could happen? I might just have to practice patience and wait in a waiting room a little longer than I expected. Or, even reschedule an appointment with an even-tempered, quiet attitude - counting it all as a joy.

God wants my faith in Him to grow (expand; gain)! Growth is a result of trials. Trials test faith. Faith produces patience.

I, like many others, want a "giant neon sign from God" so I know what He wants me to do. I'm pretty sure I've got it....except it's not neon....it's not sucking electricity....and it's not only visible to me as I'm driving down the road. It's with me every single day! I trip over it often. It steps on my heels. It's in my house. It can be extremely loud. It follows me to the bathroom. Sometimes it even wakes me up in the night because of a bad dream or because something hurts. "It" is the good and perfect gifts that God has blessed me with. "It" is our children! My "giant neon sign" just happens to need help wiping, needs to be fed, climbs all over me, talks, humbles me, brings me to my knees, and loves me. 

Okay, so maybe I don't need an actual neon sign. I just need to recognize God's constant working in my life and let Him work through me.