Strength through Patience

What began as a simple book discussion grew into something deeper: fellowship, spiritual sharpening, and friendships.

We often joked about taking a road trip to visit our friend in Florence. By God’s grace, that playful dream became reality. This past spring break, I traveled with another professor and two Faculty Commons staff members to Italy. Our purpose was clear: to encourage our friend, who serves as a Christian academic in a place with little gospel presence and no Christian faculty community, and serve where we could.

Only Four Students Showed Up

In Florence, we shared meals, prayers, and stories with our friend. Her joy in the Lord and her patience with the people around her, especially with students and her own young adult children, left a lasting impression. She came to Christ in her 40s, and she often says, “God has been so patient with me. The least I can do is be patient with these young people.”

She invited about 30 people to meet us and interact with “American professors.” We hoped to share our stories with them. Only four students (including her own daughter) showed up. She was undeterred. We dispensed with any program but engaged with the students. Faith stories were shared; deep conversation ensued. It is unclear what the immediate outcome was. Our Italian friend was thrilled we had entered into her space and relationships. 

Rejoicing Over Small Gains

I saw firsthand the fruit of her patience. Seeds patiently, faithfully, and gently sown. 

Our journey continued to Rome, where we met with local Agape (Cru) staff. At their invitation, I spoke at a student gathering on a topic I had been researching and of general interest to students about AI. It was a small group. I did my best. I wove in spiritual insights. There was interest, followed by questions, but was it a contribution of eternal significance?  

These Cru staff in Italy have labored faithfully for years in a place where spiritual openness is rare. Yet they rejoiced over small gains: fellowship with international students, baby steps toward faith, one new student coming out of curiosity. Among Italians, the ground is hard. 

But they keep sowing, keep showing up, keep believing that “in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).  

Am I Willing to Wait Patiently?

Instead of feeling discouraged, I left inspired by those living out 1 Thessalonians 5:14: “Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” In a culture where hearts seem cold and soil seems barren, our brothers and sisters serve with unending hope. Their example challenged me as a professor and a parent: am I willing to sow faithfully, love sacrificially, and wait patiently, trusting God for the harvest?

Patience doesn’t mean doing nothing. It requires quiet courage and strength. I’m learning to persevere in my relationships and in my work, trusting that even small acts of faithfulness can bear fruit in time