Quiet Time: Patience - Story

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the fields, where a farmer named Eli diligently tended his crops. With each seed he planted, he whispered prayers of hope and gratitude. Yet, as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Eli's heart began to feel heavy. The earth, though warm and rich, bore no immediate fruit. Doubts crept in, and the weight of the waiting pressed down on him.

One evening, after a long day in the fields, Eli sat on his porch, weary but resolute. He opened his worn Bible to Joshua 1:9, where God commands, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” The words washed over him like cool water on a hot day, reminding him that patience is not a passive waiting but an active trust in God’s timing.

Days later, as he watered the soil, he noticed the first green shoots breaking through the earth. Eli's heart sang with joy; he realized that patience had borne fruit—not just in his fields but within his spirit. His humility deepened as he understood that growth often requires us to lean into the waiting, to embrace the uncertainty with faith and perseverance.

In our own lives, may we remember Eli’s story and trust that, like the farmer, our spiritual growth may take time. God is with us in the waiting, coaxing our hearts toward strength, patience, and the awe of His perfect timing.