1 Timothy 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. (NKJV)
When I was a young boy, my grandfather would take me fishing. Looking back, he must have had incredible patience. We fished for bass which meant we had to constantly and reel. More than a few times I managed to catch him on the back swing. We did our fishing on Lake Bistineau which is mostly a watered filled forest. My line was always getting tangled in limbs and on stumps. I am sure all the time he spent freeing my line kept him from catching a lot of fish. Still, he kept taking me. He was really longsuffering, but eventually I learned the skills to catch more fish than branches.
As a child of God, I am a work in progress. He is continually shaping and teaching me. Sometimes I am a slow learner. I can really get things messed up. Fortunately, God is patient. He does not throw in the towel. He does not walk away. He stays with me. He works and reworks when it is needed.
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