Many years ago, I received a button at a conference with an acronym: PBPGINFWMY which stood for, “Please be patient; God is not finished with me yet.” At the invincible age of 18, I couldn’t appreciate the sentiment of those words. But as I aged into adult responsibility, I wished I could wear that button on a regular basis.
As I struggled to keep up with the demands of motherhood and expectations of a pastor’s wife, all too often I came face to face with my own inadequacies. A tiny lapel button wasn’t enough. I wanted a sign on my back that read, “I Need Grace.” I longed for my family and community to lovingly avert their eyes when I made stupid decisions, used poor judgment, didn’t follow through, or didn’t measure up to expectations.
As I matured into middle adulthood, I got a better grasp on the difference between right and wrong and I started to pride myself on my sense of integrity. But to my surprise, something else grew inside of me–impatience with others’ slowness to mature. The temptation to be judgmental that they weren’t where I was taunted me. I realized spiritual maturation was twofold: learning to become like Jesus and also learning to love those who had not yet seemed to learn what God was teaching me.
I wish I’d remembered my own days of desperation more. I’m not the only one with a sign on my back. In fact, every time someone disappoints me with their humanness, I need to look at their back and read that sign, “I need grace.” And I need to remember that even at my ripe older age, I still need grace, for I’m still far from what God wants me to be. I still make selfish choices and stupid decisions. And life gets overwhelming in different ways, but at times, I still forget, don’t follow through, or run out of courage or energy. Worst of all, others have to be patient with my impatience.
God is not done with any of us until we are done with this life. We are all a work in progress. We all need grace. So, when others wear an “I need grace” sign on their back, how do I show them God’s grace?
The Bible gives us six great ways to show grace to God’s unfinished people in our lives:
- Forgive. (Ephesians 4:32)
- Love (1 Peter 4:8)
- Forbear (Colossians 3:13): This Bible word can mean, put up with, restrain from trying to fix the issue, stay silent, to let it go.
- Help. (Acts 20:35, Romans 15:1)
- Encourage. (Hebrews 3:13)
- Treat others as you would them to treat you. (Luke 6:31)
Who in your life is wearing the sign, “I need grace”? How are you extending grace, patience, and forgiveness to those who aren’t living up to your expectations of socially acceptable behavior or godly characteristics? If God is not finished with you yet, then He is not finished with anyone else. He is still sculpting all those other people in your life into His image just as He is doing with you.
I remember my children listening to Herbert the Snail sing this song, Have Patience. I sing it under my breath when I need to remember to be patient with someone.
Maybe you are the one who needs grace and no one is serving you an extra portion. Even if others are not being as patient with you as you would like or as you need, God is gracious. He is patient, He loves you, and He has a basketful of second chances just for you. Hang in there and keep trying. Don’t give up. After all, God hasn’t given up on you and He is not finished with you yet.
Here’s another song we can sing to ourselves. He’s Still Working on Me
So, please be patient. God is not finished with me yet. And I’ll be working to do the same for you.
thank you. years ago I had a picture of a child saying please have patience with me, God’s still working on me. I’m 81 and my memories know He, so to speak, still has His hands full with me. as my mom used to tell me often when she fussed at me and I would say I was trying. she would tell me ‘I was very trying at times’. God. continues to bless me.
Good Morning and Thank You, Karen, for this message ✨ God bless you every second of every day ✨🙏💖🙏✨