Patience

I'm learning a new form of patience with this knee but I actually got something out of it. Some background info: when walking to my class in the Foster building, I'm one of the first people headed that way from chapel. The crowd is behind me and I'm slithering by as fast as I can (which could hardly be considered fast in any form). Soon, the massive crowd of people behind me are now in front of me and almost to their classes. Because of the way I have to walk, my lower back usually begins hurting halfway there. As I fight through the pain of my back and discouragement of seeing everyone else ahead of me and happy, I get upset. Why can't that be me? Why do I have to be back here going through all of this while everyone else is up ahead no problems, etc. It really began to take over my thoughts until God showed me it was more than just going to class.
Ever since coming to college I've been praying for patience when it comes to finding the man of God He has set apart from me. I'm surrounded by friends here and there who are getting married, getting engaged, beginning relationships and I feel discouraged because I'm left out. I feel as if I should be there too. Then I get anxious because I'm not and begin worrying. I go through heartache, not because of a boy problem but because of lack of a man. In the same way, as heading to class I see everyone already there and happy and me in the back going through pain to get where they're at and it taking 3 times as long. It reminded me of the feeling I get when I finally get to class. I'm thrilled to be sitting down, the pain in my back goes away, and the memories of that awful walk have vanished from my mind. God reminded me that this is how it will be like when I finally find my husband. All the bad stuff, the pain, and the "i wish i was there" that I am feeling now will all be replaced with joy and love and none of it will matter anymore.
I was filled with encouragement as I pondered this. Bryan Jarrett said, "Sometimes God puts us through situations to learn something that we couldn't have learned had we not been in that situation." I feel this is one of those times.
I am so blessed by such a wonderful God who sees his child in a place of discouragement but does not leave them there. He picks them up and gives them a hope.