PATIENCE ENOUGH

Idea on the fifth of the nine things for contentment by Goethe
5 Enough patience to work until some good is accomplished.

Patience is one of the virtues that makes weak folks strong,
Enough patience to still keep going when everything goes wrong,
Enough to struggle with a will that cannot ever quite give up,
Patience to work and complete a tough job, then, be able to stop.

Enough patience to count to ten rather than speak an angry word,
Enough patience to wait to speak until everyone has been heard,
Enough patience to do intricate things that most people won’t do,
And then you will grow to be a great person all your life through.

Enough patience to explain to a child some simple little thing,
Tell how things grow and how birds fly on feathered wing,
Enough patience to wait when there is nothing that can be done,
Patience to sit and watch the beauty and joy of the setting sun.

Enough patience with others who cannot always understand,
Enough patience to spend time with them, give them a helping hand,
Patience in times of trial, when we think God is too slow
To answer the prayers we offer, patience to accept, “No.”

Enough patience is one of the hardest of virtues to gain,
For life is always busy and things get in the way, like rain
When we want sunshine, and it will not come quite fast enough,
Yet with patience we can ride the mighty sea when it is rough.

So I pray for enough patience to live through this day,
Accepting what befalls me and work hard as I pray
For enough patience to accept the tasks that have to be done,
Enough patience to hang in there till my final battle is won.

M Ann Margetson © February 27, 2001
2001/1151Patience
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