The testing of our faith works patience

"I would love to be a patient person."

By this, I mean: "I wish that situations that necessitate patience didn't leave me feel like I'm chafing against uncontrollable restraints that leave me with no choice but to remain in the situation and either continue chafing or deal with my impatience."

In other words: "I wish being patient was easy."

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We are moving. Hopefully, a week from now, we will be doing the last bits of cleaning at our old place and have begun getting settled into our new home. Until then, homework and packing and everyday housework & errands- plus the hours at work at school- continue to clamor for my time.

I am living by lists. Lists, and 3x5 cards :) Because I need them for school, I have a stack at the ready, plus a pen handily nearby, and have become Queen Of The Jotted Notes. "Check on files for a classmate" "Email pics to a professor" "Remember to study for that one rescheduled quiz in that one class" They cover my desk. Amid them are school schedules, bills coming due, days off to submit for approval at work, and more.

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How to prioritize? My brain is far more big picture than nuanced by the details. This can be good, as it keeps me (usually) from obsessing over the minutia, but when faced with a moment like this - moving, studying, maintaining - my brain looks at the Everything that needs to be done and goes into full-on spazz out. "Oh no there is no way I will accomplish it all!!!" (This accompanied by late nights and early mornings because, darn it, I also struggle with prioritizing!)

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Because of the move, I contacted our internet provider to see about transferring service. After a month of calls and follow up calls and follow up follow up calls, I told them I was moving and gave them a last day of service date. Oops!! A week later, I discovered they had already disconnected service. A few phone calls the next day finally restored service. Sunday afternoon, we lost service again. Several phone calls later, they decided there was nothing to do but send out a technician. The soonest they could send someone? Tuesday, within a vague 3 hr range, during a time when neither my husband nor I would be home.
I am torn between venting my irritation and frustration and general crankiness at all of the juggling and hang-ups (not helped by the internet issues, but not solely caused by the internet issues either), or responding in a gracious, godly way.

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This morning in chapel, the speaker talked about the little servant girl in 2 Kings 5. Go, read it! It makes all of the frustrations and stresses I'm struggling through seem so petty. She was torn away from her land and from her people, but look at the graciousness and care she showed to a foreign master, as well as her unwavering confidence in God.

I want to evidence that kind of confidence. Even in the petty (but big deal in my world!) things.

Oh, how abundant is Your goodness,
which You have stored up for those who fear You
and worked for those who take refuge in You,
in the sight of the children of mankind!

-Psalm 31:19-