There is a legend about a woman who prayed to God for patience. In answer, she received nothing but trouble. She then said to the Lord, “I did not pray for trouble, I prayed for patience.” The Lord answered her, “How else will you learn patience, or even know you have it?” Growing in the love of God with its concomitant joy and peace is possible only as we let that love be tested by the hard things of life, and so the love bears the fruit of even-tempered patience, kindness, and gentleness. ~Anna Mow, Say Yes to Life
