Waiting Well: Teaching Our Kids Patience While Learning It Ourselves

January 31, 2026

“God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ” (Romans 5:15).

Growing up, my family took many road trips to visit extended family in another state. When I complained about how much longer we had, my mom would recall a road trip from her childhood. She asked her father the infamous question, “Are we there yet?” Instead of responding with an exasperated sigh or offering a time estimate, her father simply told her, “Look out the window and enjoy where you are now.” 

Whether it’s with our children, our own shortcomings, or the circumstances we face, we all encounter moments that test our patience. Waiting becomes a struggle, especially in a world that trains us to expect instant gratification. But how do we teach it to our kids when we often struggle with it ourselves? The good news is, we’re not in this alone. God, the ultimate example of patience, works in us as we guide our children.

With Our Kids: Reflecting Christ’s Patience (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

Paul’s life is a powerful reminder of the patience Christ shows us despite our failures. As parents, when we lose patience with our kids, remember that Christ's patience with us is unending and gracious. In those frustrating moments—when the messes seem endless, the questions keep coming, and the challenges feel overwhelming—view them as opportunities to show our kids what grace and patience look like in action. 

With Ourselves: Patience Through Practice (2 Corinthians 12:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13)

It’s easy to feel like we’re not measuring up as parents. We set high expectations for ourselves and then feel defeated when we fall short. But Christ offers us grace, even in our failures. God isn’t asking for perfection; his strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we lose our patience, we can extend grace to ourselves, knowing that each challenge is an opportunity to grow and depend on God’s strength rather than our own.

With Our Lives: Patience in God’s Timing (Proverbs 19:21; Romans 8:28)

We may struggle, but when we rely on God’s grace, humility, and example, we can grow in patience and teach our children to do the same. We can trust that God's perfect plan will prevail when we are waiting on God’s timing, whether for a breakthrough with our kids’ behavior, a family relationship to mend, or a job change. Trusting in God’s timing helps us experience peace and joy, not because of our circumstances, but in every season. We truly have reason to rejoice always because God is in control.

Patience doesn’t come naturally to us. It’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit that grows as we seek God daily. Whether learning patience with our kids, showing ourselves grace, or waiting on God’s perfect timing, we can trust that he guides us. As we grow in patience, we’re becoming better parents and modeling Christ’s character to our children. Just like looking out the window on a long road trip, we can learn to appreciate where we are now, knowing that God is leading us every step of the way.