There are many ways we can teach our young ones to be patient. Intentionally, we can tell them to "be patient" & then allow a series of events to unfold in front of them but when dealing with long-term patience, they don't tend to understand it as well. I find it most helpful to quote them scripture ~or a portion thereof~ about patience, as they wait ...for the trip to Disney...for the Popsicle...for their new brother/sister...for grandma's visit...for the movie to start. In the scriptures below, we as Christians are called to an action. We are to: "be still," "be patient," "persevere," "wait." Teaching these to your little ones not only instills the virtues of our Lord in their hearts, but will allow them to hopefully then learn how this can apply to their life situations. So, I hope these (as well as others I have not quoted here) help!
Psalm 37:7-9..."Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land."
Proverbs 15:18..."A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel."
Ecclesiastes 7:8..."The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."
James 5:11..."As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about."
Psalm 40:1..."I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry."
Sometimes, it is easier to teach patience than it is to teach kindness. At the fall of man, sin entered the world & we will never be the same while here in this life. Our flesh battles through a raging war of the ME! ME! ME! attitude of deserving (something), while we work through our salvation & long to be more Christ-like by dying to our flesh. So when (that person) gets a new car before you do...gets a higher grade than you on a test...gets a bike before you do...wins a karate tournament before you do...says a jeering comment to you...Remember the instances in the bible where kindness was shown. When bringing up your sweet lambs, the emphasis on kindness is quite important especially when one brother shows kindness to another.
Leviticus 19:34..."The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God."
Proverbs 14:21..."It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy."
Joshua 2:6-16 (v12 shown)..."Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you."
Esther 2:7..."Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died."
John 19:27..."and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
When you are in those teachable moments & your child is in the middle of a minor meltdown, be the Christ-like example as a parent you are called to be & use the double-edged sword of the Word to share with them how others applied these traits in their life. You will NEVER regret taking time to stop everything you are doing & impart God's Word into their heart. Show them patience & kindness in your dealings with them so they can fully comprehend the application.
And on that note, I make a vow to not leave you for too long. :o)
