The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” 2 Peter 3:9

There is a fear that keeps people from going to the dentist. You go in for a routine cleaning but end up with the news that you have a deep cavity that will need a crown. When that happened to me, I was wondering how that was even possible because I didn’t have any pain?! I put off getting the procedure for a few months and after they drilled the cavity, while I was waiting for the permanent crown to come in, I started to experience really bad pain. The drilling had irritated the nerve and I ended up having to get a root canal (I don’t wish this procedure on anyone!).

This whole ordeal made me think of our walk with God. We go along thinking we have everything under control until an expert points out something that needs correcting...which we ignore until it gets to a point where we wish we hadn't, to the point that it is painful. At the end of the day that pain resulted in saving my tooth. It made me think, who is close enough to me to lovingly point out areas in my life that need to be exposed and worked on? I don’t have many vulnerable relationships outside of my husband. Ones that will call out my sins and walk through them with me, and the ones I have I don't lean on as I should. I run from confrontation because I tend to be a people pleaser. I am reminded of the verse that I learned from my kid's Sunday lesson, “The Lord... is patient towards you... that all should reach repentance."  It made me realize that the Lord has patience with me in spite of myself. Praise God he has patience with me through my struggles! When I’m frustrated with my kids, husband and friends I am reminded I need to show them patience like God shows me patience. While we are slow to forgive, how cool is it that God has already forgiven us because of the work of the cross. God is patient towards YOU and His desire is that we all come to him for repentance. We can walk boldly into real relationships with our neighbors, co-workers, and family knowing that God's desire is for them to turn towards him. God is in control!

We are not called to do life alone, we are called to do life in community so that the world would know God's patient love. We are called to be open, vulnerable, and patient with each other. We should call out the sins in one another, before the consequences become too painful, and walk through painful moments together. My challenge for myself and for you is to press into this type of life. How can we continue to be committed to a journey of transformation together toward Jesus for the glory of God? I know this will look differently for everyone, but I would love to hear what it looks like for you as we can all learn from each other.