"God waits until he gets his turn," says Savannah, age 5.

His turn?

This sounds like something my elementary school principal might have said when I was called to his office.

God has patience with us "by waiting in line," says Ashton, 5. I suppose he's waiting in line to get his turn. Perhaps Ashton was considering how we make God wait in line by trying to solve problems by ourselves instead of turning to him for answers.

"God has patience with me and everyone else because we all mess up a lot," says Gary, 10. "Twenty-four hours a day, someone is sinning," adds Andrew, 11.

Or as Emily, 8, says, "God knows what's going on."

"God has patience with us because he is so, so, so very nice," says Christian, 7. Yes, God is nice or gracious in that he doesn't judge us immediately when we sin against him. But don't mistake God's slowness to anger for a compromise of his righteousness. Rather, his patience gives us time to turn to him.

"If God didn't have patience, we wouldn't be here right now," says Peter, 10. Yes, we wouldn't be "here" to "hear" God patiently calling us. The Apostle Paul wrote that those who harden their hearts against God store up his wrath against themselves for Judgment Day. Another translation reads "treasuring up for yourself wrath" (Romans 2:5).

Who in their right mind would want to invest in a "Wrath Account" administered by God?

"God has patience with us because he is perfect," says Madeline, 11. "God knows we are like sheep and are not smart. God knows we are sinners and need His mercy. God can give us His mercy when we ask for it."

Sheep grazing in green valleys seem so peaceful. It's easy to forget that sheep are not the brightest of God's creatures. Without a good shepherd, they're vulnerable to all kinds of hazards.

The prophet Isaiah wrote: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

In the ultimate paradox, Jesus is both the sacrificial lamb who dies for the sins of the world and the good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. "God has patience with us because he had to sit and watch his son die on the cross," says Trey, 11. "He is waiting for us to believe in him," adds Elizabeth, 9.

"God wants us to be patient with others to show them we are Christians," says Sarah, 10. One of the biblical words used for patience is "perseverance." It's not just passively tolerating unpleasant circumstances. It's active endurance in the face of adversity. The Apostle Paul wrote to the new Christians at Corinth that the signs of an apostle were "accomplished among you with all perseverance."

Patience should be reflected in the lives of Christians who belong to a patient Father. Persevering patience is one of the best advertisements to those who don't know Jesus. Try turning the other cheek after you've been slapped with injustice, ridicule or scorn for believing in a man who rose from the dead almost 2,000 years ago.

Think about this: Patience is perseverance in the face of adversity or injustice.

Memorize this truth: "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3).

Ask this question: Is Jesus prompting you to show his patience to someone?

Listen to a talking book, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and travel around the world by viewing the "Mission Explorers Streaming Video" at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. To find out more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CAREY KINSOLVING

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.