"Some years ago a wonderful young man named Curtis was called
to serve a mission. He was the kind of missionary every mission president prays
for. He was focused and worked hard. At one point he was assigned a missionary
companion who was immature, socially awkward, and not particularly enthusiastic
about getting the work done.
"One day, while they were riding their bicycles, Curtis
looked back and saw that his companion had inexplicably gotten off his bike and
was walking. Silently, Curtis expressed his frustration to God; what a chore it
was to be saddled with a companion he had to drag around in order to accomplish
anything. Moments later, Curtis had a profound impression, as if God were
saying to him, “You know, Curtis,
compared to me, the two of you aren’t all that different.” Curtis learned
that he needed to be patient with an imperfect companion who nonetheless was
trying in his own way.
"As God encourages us to keep on trying, He expects us to
also allow others the space to do the same, at their own pace." (from Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying)
~ Elder Dale G. Renlund, of the Quorum of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
