Next Door Neighbors
July 25, 2023
Recently, I was wandering the grocery store aisles marveling at the placement of products. Things are conveniently arranged together. For example, my favorite ice cream (Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia) is located with all other types of ice cream in the freezer section. I noted other things located near the ice cream, such as ice cream scoops, cones, and chocolate sauce. Very handy! These items are placed together because they will enhance the ice cream experience (and, of course, allow the store to sell more product).
It is a good idea to pay attention to associations. They have meaning, and they may enhance each other. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I have been reading through 1 Corinthians and recently reached Chapter 13, the famous love chapter. I noticed something that I had not noticed before in verse 4. Love endures long and is patient and kind. I noticed that patience and kindness are right next to each other. A gentle niggling made me turn to Galatians 5:22-23, which describes the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness... (AMPC)
Patience and kindness are next door neighbors in both 1 Corinthians and Galatians. While this may not seem significant to some, it was to me. Patience is the ability to endure difficult people and situations without giving into anger or giving up hope. Patience is called long suffering, which is having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people. Kindness is the quality of being selfless, compassionate, and merciful. Kind people have the ability to be present in any situation; they listen and encourage others.
Kind people are patient and patient people are kind. These two qualities live next to each other in the Bible because they are holding hands. That niggling feeling I had was telling me something. It gently suggested that being impatient with others is unkind. I know I have said or done rude things when I was in a hurry. I can be kind to others by carrying out random acts of kindness, but a display of unchecked impatience will find me out.
For example, being punctual is important to me. I don’t want to be rude by showing up late, but at what cost? In pursuit of punctuality, I am rude to all in my path as I strive to get somewhere on time. Being chronically overbooked requires me to rush around, and when I am rushed, I get impatient with delays and that impatience leaks out in unkind words and abrupt actions. Not cool.
One technique I have adopted to combat impatience is an ‘I’m on vacation’ attitude. When I am on vacation, I tolerate delays better. I am not in a hurry when I am on vacation, so I can take a deep breath and relax. Even if I am not actually on vacation, I still tell myself “I’m on vacation.” It reminds me to relax and be okay with delays. It allows me to look around and really see other people. It allows me to smile and say something kind to the store clerk who is struggling. I find that kindness inevitably flows out when I am practicing patience. Patience and kindness are next door neighbors for a reason.