a third patience

I have an addendum to my last posting.  There is another "patience" I didn't mention.  In addition to patience with others and patience with self, St. Vincent might also say we require a gentle patience with God.  Vincent was a man who in early in his life was in a rush to acquire success and position.  Through a series of surprises and setbacks he came to the conclusion that God's spirit was leading him in another direction; in his late 30's he accepted the work God gave him to do.  Another way to think of spiritual growth and a healthy life of prayer may be having a gentle patience with God, knowing that it is He who is slowly working out our salvation within us...in his time...for our best.  Happy Vincent de Paul Day.