Read: Genesis 12-20, Go ahead and skim through it, to make sure that you remember the key parts.

-being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, Col. 1:11

Waiting, waiting, waiting…patience, patience, patience. I know we have all heard before that you should never ask God to give you patience. Because He will make sure that you get plenty of practice.  But in our society today, we have very little patience and very little willingness to wait for things.

In our bible story this week God asked Abraham to wait, God kept telling Abraham don’t worry, it will happen. The promises I made to you will be fulfilled, but you must be patient, you must wait. Abraham did wait, and God was faithful to Abraham. God did give Him what He promised.

So has God asked us to wait for something? Is God asking us for patience, is God telling us not to worry, because He will fulfill His promise to you? Is God asking us to be faithful to Him? To not give up on Him?

Ask yourself all of these questions, write down something that God has asked you to wait for. That He has promised to you, but has asked you to wait.  Now stop and pray. Ask God to reveal His plans to you. Tell God you are willing to wait, even if it is for a long time.

STOP…WAIT…PRAY…LISTEN for God to speak to you.

Now I want you to think about your children, the children in your classroom. Have you shown them patience this week? Have you waited for them? These are little children, they are God’s gift to us. Maybe you have been teaching them rules, now teach them grace. How do we do that?

Every time they “break” one of “your” rules. Show them grace, not anger. Show them love, be patient, be kind. Is this not what God expects of us? Can we show our children the same grace, the same kindness, the same love, the same patience that God surely shows us each and every day?

Your challenge this week is to not scold, or yell, or punish. But to show grace, patience, kindness, and love.