Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

(Ephesians 4:2 NIV)

My granddaughters love pancakes and request them for breakfast whenever they stay overnight, which is frequently.  As I make the batter from scratch, the girls are always anxious to help by fetching ingredients and stirring the mixture. 

One day, seven year old Ade, asked if she could try making the batter.  Ade is a bit like a hummingbird: never still and always moving quickly rather than cautiously.  I was tempted to say no, as I felt sure a mess would ensue if I granted her request and I do so hate a mess. Still, I mused, she did need to learn sometime and maybe today was the right time. Thus, I reluctantly agreed.

First, I had her read the recipe through, and we discussed what the measurement symbols meant.  Then she retrieved the ingredients from the pantry.  Next the wet ingredients were measured, along with cracking the egg.  Dry ingredients followed and then the wet was added to the dry and then everything mixed together.  She had accomplished her task.  Yes, there was flour on the counter and the floor.  Milk had slopped over and egg shell had to be picked from the batter.  Ingredient containers littered the counter top.  What a mess.  Yet, Ade’s beaming face and confidence in her success, far outshone the cluttered, messy counter top.  Today, she not only makes the batter with very little mess, but is also adept at pouring the batter onto the griddle, knowing when the pancakes are ready to turn and flipping them with ease.  She also cleans up.

In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul had a sharp disagreement with Barnabas in regard to taking along a young disciple, John Mark, whom Paul had dismissed due to his immature behaviour.  Barnabas disagreed and felt the young man should be given another chance. He was not willing to give up on him. Later, in the book of Timothy, we discover that Paul too, has come to see that John Mark is a good and helpful worker.  Thankfully, Barnabas had persevered with patience and gentleness, thus aiding this young follower of Christ, to grow into a mature and valued Christian man.

Likewise, each one of us has many opportunities amidst our daily lives to be patient and gentle with others who are still growing and learning, after all who among us can ever say that we have nothing more to learn.  Let us therefore pray for open eyes and hearts to see those whom God places in our pathway, that we might willing and patiently teach them, in whatever ways He may reveal to us, that their confidence and maturity may be encouraged.  After all, isn’t this what God does for us?

Prayer:  Father God, help me today to be willing to help others to grow and mature, as the need and opportunity arises.  In Christ’s name. Amen.

Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada