Stop me if you've heard this one:
"I want candy now!"  "Cause I want it!" "I said now!"

Perhaps you may have guessed these quotes came from my children.  You see, kids will often seek instant gratification.  They want something, and they want it when they want it - which is usually 5 minutes ago!  This is something that adults are expected to grow out of.  However, that is not always the case.  For college football fans (especially in the south where it is a religion), teams are expected to win championships this year.  The dreadful "there's always next year" is not gratifying or even a cause for hope.  

It is true - I am a BullDAWG through and through and our loss in the BCS Championship hurt A LOT!  Yes, we have a bright future ahead thanks to great recruiting and coaching.  However, we were so close and UGA fans have been begging for the feeling of being a Football Champion since Herschel Walker!  Yes, we CAN wait for next year...but boy do we not want to.  

Putting the sports analogy aside, there are many examples in our lives when "NOW" becomes the desire.  Have you ever gone to therapy?  Don't you want the therapist to solve all of your problems during that first meeting?  It does not work that way, of course.  What about getting in shape?  How many of us go to the gym one time and expect to see immediate results?  There are products right now that promise results in 1 week or 1 month...seems to be the newest craze, right?  This is the world we live in...

I like to plan (usually).  I like to be prepared.  I like to know what I should expect.  However, it is necessary to be flexible as well.  What I want/expect now may change depending on the circumstances I experience.  Each of us must find the courage and strength to live in the moment but also be prepared for flexibility.  What we want now may not be what we get.  What we get may very well be what we need, rather than what we want.  That's the point - instant gratification points to getting what we want when we want it (and that is usually NOW).  However, in reality, we should be prepared to get something different and in due time!

Here is my prayer for Patience:

Put aside my angst today, Lord, and prepare me for tomorrow.
Show me the way to accept what I have when I have it.
Remind me of my needs and help me push away my wants.

Place Your hand upon my back and guide me along.
Direct me to the right path - the one for today.
Revive in me my wants when it is time for them.

Be present with me as I journey today.
Continue to support me as I move from goal to goal.
Help me to remember to live in the now while planning ahead.

Thank you, God, for the love and support.

B ‘Shalom,
​Rabbi Erin