I Prayed for Patience and Then My Wi-Fi Went Out

It started innocently enough. I was sitting in my car in the school pickup line, feeling particularly frazzled, and I said — out loud, to God, with full sincerity — "Lord, I really need more patience."

The Wi-Fi went out twenty minutes later. Then my phone died. Then the car in front of me didn't move for six full minutes while the light was green.

I'm not saying God is petty. I'm saying He is thorough.

Here's what I've learned about praying for patience: it's less like ordering something off a menu and more like signing up for a training program you didn't fully read the description of. You don't get patience handed to you. You get situations that require it.

Which is, honestly, a much better deal. Even if it doesn't feel like it in the school pickup line.

So the next time you're about to pray for patience, maybe take a breath first. Maybe have a snack. Maybe make sure your phone is charged. And then go ahead — pray it. God's got you. He's just going to be very creative about the delivery.