This week we are looking at patience another of the gifts of the spirit. We started our session by sharing, with each other things that make us impatient. There was quite a selection. Waiting in a queue seemed quite common and was likened to slow traffic and people doing things on the road that we thought were stupid. Judith was feeling very impatient with teachers in school who had not given her their examination returns, although she had emailed a reminder to them. I shared that I get impatient when I feel that people are not trying hard. It is not important to me that people have fantastic results but I do need to feel that people are doing the best they can. I hastened to explain that I never fell impatient with the folk at N.I.M.O.S. After all they have all recognised that they have a need and have made the effort to come to the meeting. Most people stay for the prayer time and by doing this are taking more than one positive step towards their goal weight.

It is interesting that this verse links patience with love. If we love people then we will be patient with them. We can look to God as our model. In His love He is amazingly patient with us. Many of us make the same mistakes again and again, especially where food is concerned. We give in to temptation repeatedly and God is patient and forgiving. If we are really sorry, and tell Him so, then try hard again He will be patient with us because He loves us.

I finished with the question, Do you love yourself? Oh I dont mean in a puffed up and proud way, but do you love yourself enough to be patient with yourself when the weight lose slows down, when sometimes your weight stays the same or maybe you put on a few pounds. Will you accept those weeks, have a chat to God and then forgive yourself and carry on. I hope so!