Adventures in Motherhood: Love Is Patient

One thing that always amazes me about the Bible is that I can read a verse that I have read hundreds of times before and have God speak a totally new message to my heart. 

Since becoming a mother, this has been happening a lot to me. And not just on verses with stories or analogies about children and parents. Often it's verses about love. Most recently it has been 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient ... Those 3 little words have a totally new meaning to me now. For much of my life I feel like I've been learning the lesson of patience in one way or another. 

Learning patience while waiting to find out if I got into the college I wanted to attend. 
Love is patient. 
Learning patience while waiting for God to show me the man He had for me to marry. 
Love is patient. 
Learning patience while trying to start our family. 
Love is patient. 
Surely I would have, should have, learned the lesson of patience by now...right? When I'm up at 2 a.m., and have been rocking Rebekah for over an hour, praying that this time when I lay her in her bed that she would stay asleep ... Love is patient. 

Because I love her so very much, I (*try to*) remain patient. Soothing her, rocking her, helping her learn when it is time to sleep and when it is time to be awake. Starting the process over for the 6th time when her little eyes fly open as soon as her head touches her bed...Some days I know that it is only God's love in me that is keeping me from screaming into a pillow out of frustration and exhaustion.
(deep breath)
Love is patient. 
Being patient with Rebekah is a way that I can show her my love for her. How much greater is God's love for me that He is continually patient with me...when I don't bring my concerns and worries to Him first, when I try to do something without His help, He is patient with me. 
Love is patient.