Don't pray for patience....?

With the holidays upon us, hockey schedules, the daily demands of upkeep in my home and the needs of my children, I'm feeling like I'm spread pretty thin.  That's usually when I get snappy.  I don't like it.  Not one bit.  

Today I ended up on my face asking for forgiveness for something I said in anger by 8:03 am.  I stopped and prayed for patience.  Oh yes, yes I did!  I know, I know you're not 'supposed' to pray for patience.  I've been told that as long as I can remember,  "Don't pray for patience or God will give you something to be patient about!"  Is that true?  I know it feels that way some days.  

If we look at one of the most famous verses in the Bible that mentions patience (Galations 5:22-23) we will see that it is listed as a fruit of the Spirit.  

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

We can see clearly here that patience is a good fruit or gift of the Holy Spirit.  So....shouldn't we ask for it?  I think the trouble we find ourselves in is when we try to bear this good fruit (patience and self control for example) on our own.  When we try to hold it all together or strive for it in our own strength we will eventually fail.  

This morning I wasn't satisfied with my amount of patience, peace or gentleness.  I was upset by how quickly I could go from kind to angry over a child who screamed for juice instead of milk.  I needed an outpouring and filling of the Holy Spirit.  I apologized to the children, went to my room, confessed my inadequacy and utter dependency on the Holy Spirit, requested a filling and outpouring of the fruit of the Spirit.  

And guess what?  I got it.  The rest of the day went so much better than the first hour.  I'm  very thankful that when we blow it we can receive forgiveness and that we don't have to try to do it all perfectly by our own strength.  I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit who is a great Helper indeed!