“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8.
Before becoming the 26th U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt got word that his oldest son, Theodore Jr., was ill. While the boy would recover, the cause of Ted’s illness hit Roosevelt hard. Doctors told him that he was the cause of his son’s illness.
Ted was suffering from “nervous exhaustion,” having been pressed unmercifully by Teddy to become the “fighter” hero-type he himself had not been during his own frail childhood.
Upon hearing this, the elder Roosevelt made a promise to relent: “Hereafter I shall never press Ted either in body or mind.”
The father was true to his word. From then on he paid close attention to how he treated his son, exercising patience. Teddy Jr. became a successful man in his own right, even receiving the Medal of Honor for gallantry during World War II.
We need to be patient and take the long view in living our lives. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for His patience toward you and seek to be patient in all that you do.
“Patience is the queen of all virtues.” – John Chrysostom.
God’s Word: “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” – Proverbs 14:29.
