It was 21 degrees below zero the February morning Jerome’s son decided to enter this world. Jerome held his son and lovingly hugged his mother. Then he left so his wife could get some much-needed rest.

When Jerome headed back to the hospital, he thought about stopping at a florist. He could get his wife some flowers—to show her his love!

Jerome’s male logic, however, also made him think: “It’s so cold. By the time I get to the hospital, the flowers will be frozen stiff!” So he passed on the flowers.

That was not a good decision. With teary eyes Jerome’s wife voiced her hurt feelings: “You didn’t bring me flowers? Don’t you love me?”

Jerome apologized profusely for being so dumb, and his wife forgave him. Her God-given patience allowed her to overlook his offense.

That’s what Solomon had in mind when he wrote: “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11).

It is the human, sinful thing to store up offenses in feelings of resentment. It is the godly, glorious thing to forgive them.

God is hurt deeply every time we offend him by ignoring one of his commandments. He has the right to condemn us to hell for our many offenses. Instead, God loves us and sent his Son Jesus to be our Savior.

Jerome finds his example of patience in his forgiving God. Jerome knows his heavenly Father is patient with him.

Jerome is grateful that God forgives him for Jesus’ sake. “The blood of Jesus, [God’s] Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Jerome has grown in wisdom since that first child was born. He didn’t forget to bring his wife flowers when their other children were born!

We hope you visit us soon. The more we learn about God’s love, the more we can grow in our wisdom and patience.