You don't become a master pianist in one lesson.
Anticipation requires a level of patience that can be difficult to muster. I had always thought that I was a patient person ('had' being the key word). Since leaving high school, I have found myself growing increasingly impatient with life, even though the days and months fly by quicker. I think I have a character flaw, I hate to admit it, but it's true. I am constantly looking to the future for my happiness. The "I will be happy when.." syndrome. I know, it sounds ridiculous, and it is! It's not to say that I am incapable of finding happiness in the moment, because I can. It's just that I always think future events and moments will bring me the most happiness. It could be true, but it shouldn't be.
It struck me today while listening to our Stake Patriarch speak in Sacarament meeting. He was talking about the timing of our patriarchal blessings. The promises made in my blessing will be given to me in Heavenly Father's timing, and according to my faithfulness. **Mind Blowing**. I've heard all of this a million times, but I guess it never really computed? I don't know. I can be faithful for 50 years, and some of those blessings will still be waiting to transpire. Heavenly Father is an infinitely patient man. All I can do is be faithful, and trust in His timing.
The patriarch mentioned that oftentimes, being faithful will lead us to the right place, but maybe not the final destination. We can be lead to the general vicinity of our blessings, and Heavenly Father will lead us to our destination from there. If I had not been faithful to begin with, I never would have been in the vicinity where the blessing was bestowed.
I know this to be true from personal experience. When I began feeling the need to get my patriarchal blessing done, I was a Junior in high school. I knew I wanted to know what my future held, and I needed to start making decisions (college, mission, etc.) I believe I got two recommends to receive my Patriarchal blessing , both of which expired before I could use them. I was SO busy those last two years of HS. It should have been a priority, yes, but I just couldn't find a time to do it.
Fast forward to my freshman year at BYU. I was feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what to major in. I had no clue what I was going to be doing, almost like running forward blind. I knew that I needed to finally have my Patriarchal blessing to guide me. I got another recommend, third time's the charm, and scheduled with the BYU YSA 4th stake Patriarch, Glen Tuckett (former BYU Athletic Director). My parents drove down to Provo that evening to be with me.
For a man who knew absolutely NOTHING about me, he sure knew A LOT about me! My blessing was the single most poetic, prophetic, and personal thing I had ever heard. It answered every concern, every hope, and every fear that I had. With profound statements it declared my future, counseled me, and soothed me. It even mentioned BYU, which was a comfort and surprise to this unsure student. Had I received my blessing any earlier than that moment, I don't know that it would have been as complete for me. The time and place in which I finally received it was the perfect. That night, I truly learned that Heavenly Father's timing is perfect. I had wanted my blessing years before that day, but that day ended up being the ideal time, and I believe I was finally prepared to the point I needed to be. I wasn't patient naturally, it was forced, but I am grateful for it.
There are many things contained in that blessing that I CAN NOT WAIT FOR. Which is silly because I have to wait for them. For now, I know that I am where I am supposed to be. I am doing the things that I need to be doing. I am consistently trying to be faithful, and striving to improve where I can. President Uchtdorf has a quote that I just LOVE. "Patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace." How perfectly said! This process is long and arduous, but in the end, it is sweet and whole.
Anyways, here are some other quotes that I adored:
"Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!" - Uchtdorf
"By patiently walking in the path of discipleship, we demonstrate to ourselves the measure of our faith and our willingness to accept God's will rather than ours." - Uchtdorf
"The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." - Mosiah 24:15
"Our task is to become our best selves. One of God's greatest gifts to us is the hoy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final." - Thomas S Monson
