New to the forum.

[Lonely in SLC]

Rather than running to the bottle, I decided to do some thinking and studying. There has been something that I have pondered for awhile, and have decided to study it more. I would like to share what I have learned in hopes that it will help someone.

I believe that we can all agree that patience is one of the most important attributes that we can have to get us through these difficult times. It is a must. I also believe that if I had this attribute before, I would not be in this situation in the first place. I regret not having patience whith my children and with my wife. I won't go into details here, but I can imagine most of you know what I am talking about.

Knowing that I need to acquire this attribute, I began a study of it. I have learned that patience is closley related to all important attribute of charity.

1 Corinthians 13 has become one of my most favorite chapters in the bible. Charity is the greatest attribute and give an individual can learn.

v 2 - I am nothing without charity.
v 3 - All other gifts profiteth me nothing if I have not charity.
v 8 - Charity never faileth.
v 13 - Charity is above both Faith & Hope

Charity is defined as the pure love of Christ. Now, how is patience related to Charity. Let's us look at some of the attributes of Charity.

v 4 - 1. Suffereth long ***
2. Is kind ***
3. Envieth not
4. Vaunteth not itself
5. Is not puffed up
v 5 - 6. Doth not behave itself unseemly ***
7. Seeketh not her own
8. Is not easily provoked ***
9. Thinketh no evil
v 6 - 10. Rejoiceth in the truth
11. Beareth all things ***
12. Believeth all things
13. Hopeth all things ***
14. Endureth all things ***

If we look closely, we can see that seven of the forteen qualities of Charity are either patience or requires patience. Look back at the ***. Read them again and ask yourself how these can be applied towards your spouse.

For me, I don't believe that my wife has had a PA. For this I am thankful. I believe the decisions she is making right now are not correct. But I love her, as well as my kids. I need to be empathetic towards her, understand that she is hurting as well, and remember that my kids are 50% me, and 50% my wife. For them, I need to treat her with respect. Her decisions will continue to hurt me until she comes back, if she comes back, but I need to learn to forgive.

The only problem is, knowing this does not make it any easier to do. I pray for patience, both for myself, and for eveyone here on these boards.