The King James Bible interprets "patience" as "longsuffering." I admire this "longsuffering of love" when I observe it in parents who have children with special needs, a handicap, or a serious disease that requires tender loving care. Often they have the extra responsibilities of oxygen apparatus or wheel chairs. It seems to me that God give these parents this wonderful longsuffering love that requires a lifetime of service. This great quality of love is also needed by wives and families of returned wounded soldiers.
It would be a good thing if the church would do all it could to lend a helping hand to those who face these demanding challenges.
It is sad that many who name the name of Christ are so taken up with themselves that when faced with the challenge of "love that suffers long" fall flat on their faces. They terminate their marriage so quickly. They end their friendships quickly. They throw in the towel on homeschooling (too demanding!). They don't have longsuffering patience to even have more than one or two children, let alone to spend time role modeling for them. How shallow is the love that knows little of longsuffering.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell