Longanimity (Noun)

RYQ:  I am sure it’s #4.  You were in the Navy!

That’s a poignant and rather weighty question.  I know that every human being, in every walk of life, since Adam and Eve has endured some event of long-suffering.  It depends on the “nature” and “disposition” which differentiates it from being wholesome or purely selfish.

Personally, I have always been a kind and thoughtful person…since early childhood.  I could never understand and was always shocked when people responded to each other without due respect.  Mother, father and grandparents, by their instruction and example, deeply imbued in our little brains, that God’s Breath is in each and every soul…as He is in mine.  Respect Him and do not disappoint Him by your “own” actions or words….no matter how I/we were tempted to respond otherwise.  Dad always said of me that I had a quiet and difinitive “moxey” and  found myself defending or running to the aid of those needing support.  I had been a very caring little girl and I believe it was just my “Nature.”   Just like my eyes are pea green, it was a virtue built in me by God and so, it wasn’t so exceptional.   As I grew into adulthood and had to deal with adverse people, my perspective began to wax and wane and patience would become a “lesson” I had to learn and learn well.  I had been a conscientiously obliging little human being and never undestood why others in my life were NOT.  The lesson learned and learned well was, the only one I could depend upon on this earth, was myself.  I learned how to fix a flat tire and change out an engine; sew and make my own clothes; clean and put in order a home to model condition;  prepare and serve food like a high priced chef; garden as if I were being paid for the (natural) skill in arrangement, to be, as my son so often has told me, the benchmark of motherhood, but most of all, to be independant and stuff my impatience with others.  God has His humor but He also has His reason and it all depends upon how I exercised my own will, and used the gift He gave me in the energy to accomplish.  More often than not, I probably failed but I never stopped trying.  In my successes I rejoiced and instantly spoke to the Lord of my thanksgiving….He and I can accomplish.  In my failure, which is countless, I would ask for His help in overcoming and that I was always inspired, sooner or later, to try, try again!

So, to your question I suggest anyone and everyone look to Matthew 5: 1 through 12 and be gladdend for Jesus spoke to all who feel the pangs of longanimity.