There isn’t much in this world that encourages patience, is there?

And yet, the work we do in families is a series of long term investments, many, if not most, with late returns!

It’s perplexing some days to wonder if your seven-year-old will ever learn to sit quietly for any length of time.

Or if your children, in those middle years, will live through each other and even turn out to be good friends!

If there will come a season of sleep, or for some, if there will ever be a season of plenty.

What I know far better today than I did 20 years into parenting is that these investments are truly worth our blood, sweat and tears; and that the returns are more complex and more far-reaching than we ever thought possible.

Because while we are investing our time and energy into the well-being and growth and development of our children and relationships, we are being changed!

With God’s help, we can be developed into more selfless, thoughtful, charitable creatures than we ever could have become without our family ties and experiences.

Learning takes time.

People and relationships take time.

Today I hope you’ll take a deep breath and let it out along with the urge to hurry the process.

You’re doing just fine. Well, far better than fine!

Just keep walking forward and practice patience in being where and who you are today, and in the process of becoming.

Much love and God bless you today and always!

The mission of Lioness at the Door is to uplift, strengthen and encourage women of all ages to magnify health, hope and happiness at home. We do so boldly, with humility and gratitude for the opportunity.