Kindalh Hoover, Living with grace and compassion, daily

Guest Blog Post: Kindalh Hoover, Little Rock Dream Center Director

We always hear, “don’t pray for patience,” “patience is a virtue” or “that really tested my patience.” But do we ever talk about how we have patience or hold on to patience? 

I have the honor of serving families and kids at the Arkansas Dream Center during our after school and summer programs. Needless to say, when working with children, you especially need patience. I have had multiple people ask me how I am so patient. This question is usually asked after seeing a child challenge someone or “misbehave.” Truthfully, I believe my patience comes directly from Jesus and it does not come out of me or my power. I believe it also comes from a mindset that we have to have compassion and grace, everyday, for others. 

Whether you are serving others, working alongside a team or meeting someone for the first time, we never really know what an individual is dealing with behind the scenes. People can tell you how they are feeling and what they are going through, but they may not tell you all the nasty details, the full truth or anything at all. Even if they are open about the details of their life, we do not all process experiences the same. So, when you see a kid “misbehave,” do you know if they ate, slept, were scared, were yelled at, were bullied, had a family member leave or sick, had a friend move, wearing shoes that are too small, etc. These are more minor things someone faces. What if they have experienced trauma that has never been addressed in a healthy way? This same mindset works for having grace for your teammates. If someone has a bad attitude,  isn’t pulling their weight or does something you disagree with, take the time to communicate with compassion about what is their “why” behind whatever it is they are doing. Chances are there is a situation going on in their personal life and you need to walk beside them with patience. 

Jesus has so much patience for us. We repeatedly make mistakes, follow our flesh and emotions, yet he always reacts with grace. He may correct us, but because He walked through life, experienced pain and suffering, He knows that we do too. Have patience, grace and compassion for others, because we all walk through something at some point and many of us need someone to walk beside us.

Ephesians 4:1-3 says “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”