“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5  NLT

Much urgency is in the air around us. There are deadlines, named I suppose because you will die if you do not make them, closeout deals, end-of-the-month quotas, and last-minute bargains. We desperately want to lose weight, make the grade, and get the job done. We watch people being incited to feed emotional needs as a quick fix to disappointment in life. We want it all, and we want it now.

Then I look at Famous who most days patiently waits alone for his master to return home. Does he vote me out of office? Does he riot against me? Does he go on a hunger strike to show his disapproval? Hardly. Instead, it is with joyous excitement when we find each other again, and our time together is harmonious.

This valiant patience is admirable, but forced, you may argue. True, he has very little to say in the matter. But even this contains a lesson for me. All day long, Famous is subject to my circumstances. But when we take our walks through the neighborhood, I try to find in myself the same patience to give him. The path is familiar, but still he gets to choose if we “bee line” to the end or explore one of the cul-de-sacs. I might note that the same patch of lawn is in need of mowing, but Famous is discovering so much more. Perhaps he has found a pile of mulch where a cat made a bed. Perhaps a strange dog has invaded our territory. Or perhaps he has found the tromping grounds of a rabbit earlier that day. I have seen him spend ten minutes going over the same six-foot-square plot again and again. And I just stand there at the other end of the leash watching and wondering and hoping he’s ready to move along soon. I think he is grateful for my consideration.

We often come to God out of urgency. We want it fixed, and we want it fixed now. But God often asks us to work together in patience to find the solutions. Often, the best solutions are found in the quiet walks with Him.

Dear Lord, teach me the art of waiting on You.

 

 

“Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'”  Acts 1:4-5  NLT

Have you ever been on an elevator with your dog? There you are walking into a little room when the door closes behind you. Famous trusts me and follows me inside. You are temporarily trapped with no windows to see what is happening. (Soon he will want to lead me into the magical room.) But at first he wonders why we would go into this small, empty space with no other way out. He looks at me as if to say, “Now what?” He sniffs the floor trying to discover the recent history of this place. Finally, he sits and feels the movement and listens to the steady “dings” as we travel. The door opens somehow by itself, and he is ready to get out. But we are temporarily delayed by someone else getting into the room with us, and he has to be even more patient until the door opens again. Finally, without key or handle the door opens again, and I give him the command to exit with me. But we are not back where we started. Somehow, the world has changed and we are in a new place.

Christ was resurrected and returned to a different world. His disciples were not certain of the course that lay before them. But he instructed them to be patient and to expect a miracle by baptism in the Spirit. He did it in fellowship to reassure them of the fulfillment of his promise.

God invites us into new and strange situations daily. We may not see instantly where they are taking us. We will have to be patient at times. But we can rely on his presence through the experience.

Teach me, Lord, to follow your lead today through situations which may seem unfamiliar to me. 

“Then everyone who has eyes will be able to see the truth, and everyone who has ears will be able to hear it.”  Isaiah 32:3  NLT

Patience can be very important in discovering why your dog might be too noisy or too quiet. Just as he observes your every move, your eyes can tell you if his activity is not routine. Perhaps he skips a dinner, or perhaps he lets you know he does not want to finish his walk. Careful observation can give you clues if it is time to talk to your vet.

Or, if he noisily breaks the silence with continuous barks and howls, you may sense the urgency to discover the truth. You may not speak “dog”, but patience can reveal if there is an empty water bowl or a furry intruder on the deck.

Most of us are seekers of truth. We practice discovering it and testing it. Truth can save us from pain, and truth can save us from death. Holders of truth can share it to benefit others or use deceit for selfish purposes. But ultimately, God’s truth will prevail. As agents of light, we need to illuminate what is true.

Teach me to follow your light, Lord, to help me discover what is true and use it for your glory.

“So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.”  Isaiah 30:18  NLT

The sweetest times with Famous are the unsolicited ones. I can be consumed with a project, and he arrives at my feet just to be close, whether it is under my desk, table, or piano. Whenever possible, my response is to temporarily stop what I am doing and acknowledge him and affirm him with a loving rub on the head or belly.

When we choose to not seek God’s presence, we are choosing to ignore He orders all things. He does not vanish because we ignore him, but our focus on how we should conduct ourselves is diminished. If the countless decisions we make each day are grounded in faith and the awareness of God’s presence, his love can pour through us and can be magnified through others.

O Father, I long to be close to You throughout my day.

“Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD . Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”  Psalm 5:3  NLT

I do not know if it is more difficult for me or for Famous when we say good-bye each morning. I look forward to the day ahead, but I remember the fun we had when he was able to jump into the car with me and spend the day under my desk.

Perhaps he does not remember those days, those early days when we were rarely separated. These days he understands the routine calls for him to camp out most of the day by himself. I try to keep my voice cheerful as I describe the day before us, whether I have a late meeting, or whether he should expect workers in the yard. I hope my voice gives him a feeling of affection and assurance, and that it is not my desire to ignore him or forget him.

God asks us to remember He is with us throughout the day. If we call out to him out of our need to reconnect as the day begins with expectations of meeting him along the way, then we will also find his favor as He remembers us.

Hear my prayer today, Father, and give me joy in Your presence. 

 

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”  Romans 15:5  NLT

Perhaps one of the greatest arguments for advocating patience is the increased opportunity for communication. I do not know if he patterned his “conversation” after me, but Famous rarely says anything unless he has something to say. For example, he so rarely whimpers that when he does I know there is an urgent need. And his bark is most certainly to get my attention for anything threatening or unusual. Even when we are walking, the tension on his lead, or a glance to my face helps us communicate without a spoken word or bark.

Christians, without being passive or defenseless, can and should be models for open communication without abuse, slander, or deceit. All of our communication should be tempered by our awareness of our Lord and the possibly consequences of our speech. And at times, we are called to sound the alarm of those who lead us away from God’s kingdom.

Help me, Christ, to speak the truth in love.

“Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.”  Ecclesiastes 7:8  NLT

Famous helped me finish a trek through seventeen states this summer as we toured the midwest and heartland of our nation. He fared well on the journey managing long car rides, elevators, and scores of new friends and strangers. Each time the car would stop a new vista or city awaited him. Finally, he jumped out to discover he was home again, and you could tell he was pleased!

It helps, if you are traveling with a dog, to have an animal who can remain calm in stressful and new situations, who can follow commands when walking in the wide open country or city streets, and who makes friends readily with strangers. In summer, you have to plan to avoid excessive heat, have plenty of water on hand, and plan to constantly be aware of your surroundings–such as staying in a hotel with live ducks in the lobby’s fountain!

The adventure was fun, and just like a hike, we had to adapt each day to new and sometimes unexpected events. There was a sense of accomplishment that came when it is all over along with prayers of gratitude for a safe trip.

Dear Father, as I journey through this day, help me to accomplish your will and to wait for your leading.

“And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness.”  II Peter 1:6  NIV

I enjoy demonstrating my dog’s art of self-control. Even with the knowledge his favorite treat lies in front of him, when told to “leave it,” he will sit before the prize keeping close eye on it, but not moving an inch towards it. He waits for a simple release that will surely deliver what he most desires. The test goes on if he is waiting while I walk to another room of the house making him persevere in his obedience. Upon my return, he seems just as pleased to have followed my command as he does when he finally sinks his teeth into his reward–well, almost.

Why does what we know of God enable us to persevere, to think before we jump, to somehow accomplish super-human feats? It lies in whether or not we believe we possess a  spark of eternity that connects us to the eternal Creator. We are inspired by the Holy Spirit to allow that spark at times to burn more brightly than if it were only fueled by our wants and desires. And it is a flame that can ignite other sparks who witness it.

Holy Spirit, today I pray for awareness and self-restraint.

 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Colossians 3:12  NIV

Famous can exhibit such patience on our walks. Today, we were headed home when a neighbor interrupted our return to share with me an update on her ailing son. It was obvious she was hurting for her adult child who had just entered palliative care. We have known each other for many years, so I instantly decided to delay our supper plans to see how she was dealing with the recent turn of events. Being almost in my own back yard, I released Famous from his leash. As our conversation continued this widow noted how Famous had found a place to sit fifteen feet away where he remained patiently during the course of our conversation. After praising Famous for his good nature I brought the discourse back to my neighbor and her family to say I heard her need, I would remember them in prayer, and I wanted her to allow me to help if she ever needed anything since her children do not live nearby. I was touched that she was empowered to share her need with me and Famous and grateful to have such a dutiful and patient pet.

We have a duty to care for one another. What a blessing if our pets enable, rather than hinder, our interactions with our neighbors!

Dear Jesus, show me how You can equip me to demonstrate your kindness. 

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”  Romans 8:25  NIV

Oh! It’s the longing in his eyes! The sincerity in his expression! The unrelenting hope of what has not yet been given! It is the dog patiently yearning for his treat!

And Famous is so good at it, too! Usually without a sound he assumes the expectant seat in front of me even before I have finished my meal. You would think he is trying to hypnotize me or “will” me out of my chair to present him with his flavorful morsel. This is without begging, without barking, and without jumping into my lap or onto the table. It is simply Famous giving me the stare down and thinking, “Come on. You know what you’re supposed to do next. It’s what we do every night. Why are you still sitting there eating?”

Are we this patient when it comes to waiting on the Lord? Do we have the confidence to allow God to accomplish his plans in his own time? Hardly! We are more likely to insist that God give us our rewards now. But here we have a lesson in the true meaning of hope. When hope by faith is perceived as truth, just as Famous has every confidence that I am going to give him his nightly treat, then waiting is no problem. In fact, waiting becomes a joy, not a burden, because we realize God will give us everything we need.

Show me, God, how to live with expectant and joyful hope in my heart.