Albertina Walker - Please Be Patient With Me Lyrics
Released: 11 Jul 1979
Lyrics
Chorus
Please be patient with me,
God is not through with me yet.
Please be patient with me,
God is not through with me yet.
When God gets through with me,
when God gets through with me,
I shall come forth,
I shall come forth like pure gold.
Verse
If you should see me and
I'm not walking right,
and if you should hear me
and I'm not talking right;
Please remember what God has done for me,
When He goes through with me,
I'll be what He wants me to be.
Video
"Please Be Patient With Me" (1979)- Albertina Walker
Meaning & Inspiration
Albertina Walker's "Please Be Patient With Me," though officially released on May 27, 2008, resonates with a timeless message born from a deep well of faith, a testament to the transformative power of God's work in our lives. The song's genesis isn't tied to a specific, documented event, but its powerful plea speaks universally to anyone who has ever wrestled with imperfection and yearned for spiritual growth. It's a humble acknowledgment of our ongoing journey, a recognition that the process of becoming more like Christ is rarely immediate or without its stumbles. The core of the song is a profound prayer, not just for external patience from others, but an internal petition for grace during our personal refining. Walker articulates a profound understanding that our present flaws, whether in actions or words, are not endpoints but temporary stages in a divine sculpting process. This resonates deeply with the biblical narrative of God's faithfulness to complete the good work He begins in us, as Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." The repeated refrain, "God is not through with me yet," is a powerful affirmation of this ongoing divine involvement. It’s a humble declaration that we are still under construction, still being molded by the Master Craftsman. The promise within the chorus, that "When God gets through with me, I shall come forth, I shall come forth like pure gold," is an exquisite metaphor drawn directly from Scripture. Just as gold is purified through fire to remove impurities, our faith is tested and refined through life's challenges, revealing a stronger, more precious character. This echoes the sentiment in 1 Peter 1:7, which states that "these trials are necessary to prove that your faith is real, more valuable than…gold that is purified by fire." The verse offers a practical application of this theological truth, urging listeners to remember the divine origin and ongoing purpose behind even our perceived shortcomings. When we witness or experience missteps, the song implores us to look beyond the surface and recall the miraculous work God has already accomplished and continues to do. This perspective transforms judgment into compassion, understanding that each person, ourselves included, is on a path of becoming what God intends. The ultimate outcome, as Walker poignantly expresses, is a complete transformation into the image of Christ, aligning perfectly with Romans 8:29, which promises that "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son." "Please Be Patient With Me" is more than a song; it's a spiritual declaration of hope, a beacon of assurance that God's love and refining power are actively at work in every facet of our lives, promising a glorious, perfected future.