13 DEC 08: THIS TOO SHALL PASS

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: You may find the following item humorous, serious, or a little of both - but we offer these thoughts from time to time, as we keep a seventh-day Sabbath.)

It's a good thing I don't celebrate Christmas - because the way the last couple of weeks have gone, I wouldn't have time to squeeze it into the schedule. Between work commitments, a trip to metro Atlanta Friday for a funeral and the tasks involved in blogging here, that "long winter's nap" in that poem is sometimes more like a short moment with fuzzy vision.

We've had a host of complaints, accusations and issues to keep us busy lately. Yet amidst all this, we stopped for a weekend Bible study into the topic of "longsuffering." It's something we all have to face from time to time. Alabama football fans would tell you their period ended two weeks ago.

Longsuffering is a form of patience - or perhaps better put, a way of living built around patience. But in an era of instant coffee and Instant Messages, that way of living can seem downright old-fashioned. Many people probably overlook it until they have no choice - and they're forced to spend time in a "waiting room."

The Bible study brought up several verses I need to remember use, in developing longsuffering - and I couldn't help believing some of our readers could benefit as well:

+ Romans 12:14 - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." This seems to disappear from campaigns with the first attack ad.

+ Romans 12:19 - "Do not take revenge.... but leave room for God's wrath." Yet the speeding driver go - the highway's not a NASCAR show.

+ Proverbs 14:29 - "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." How many Columbus Cottonmouths players could use this advice?

+ Proverbs 15:18 - "A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension." You wouldn't believe how many church pastors forget this verse, and break off to start their own groups.

+ Proverbs 19:11 - "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." He probably doesn't even have a recall petition template on his word processor.

This topic was planned before some surprising events to me unfolded this week - as several co-workers and friends lost their jobs. Those people may be puzzled about their future. But the longsuffering approach is good for them as well, built on a verse in Psalm 123 about "waiting on the Lord." Sometimes that wait can seem ridiculously long - like waiting three months to buy a new Chevrolet in Columbus again.

I've recalled a Paul Harvey line, as our national economy has teetered recently. "It's important to remember in times like these - there have always been times like these." You may want those times to change immediately, if not sooner. But if you build a life of patience and longsuffering, you can ride out life's storms - and once they're over, they might seem as short as a thrill ride at Six Flags.

COMING NEXT WEEK: More comments on the Shelnutt case.... and we begin our year-end review of the biggest (and funniest) news items of 2008....

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