Isn't the word "longsuffering" such a lovely word? It's a lovely word, but not so easy to put into practice, is it? What does it actually mean?
The word means "forbearance, fortitude, patience--and longanimity." Forgive me, I hadn't heard of that last word until I was checking out the meaning of this Greek word this morning. I checked the 1828 Webster's dictionary to find it means "a disposition to endure long under offenses." Oh my. It is true that sometimes a trial we faces doesn't go away quickly. It goes on and on. Can we endure to the end? Can we keep enduring for the long haul?
We can't in our own strength. But, we can in Christ's strength. He lives within us and He is longsuffering. This is His nature (Joel 2:13; Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9, 15).
Paul confessed, "That in me first Jesus Christ might show ALL LONGSUFFERING" (1 Timothy 1:16). What a testimony. Can we have this testimony in our home as we mother our children? Mothering certainly takes LONGSUFFERING. And Jesus wants to show to your children and to all around His longsuffering through your life as a mother.
Embrace the frustrations and trials of mothering. You have the opportunity to SHOW FORTH THE LONGSUFFERING OF JESUS. What a privilege.
Love from Nancy Campbell