Waiting

I know I write a lot about our dog, Jack, but I learn so much through him. Here’s what came to mind this week. Jack has lots of dog friends. Some come over for a visit. Whenever a dog arrives, Jack welcomes them right in. They drink from his bowl, and even eat some of his food if any is left behind. When it’s treat time, inevitably, it will be the visiting dog that comes up close to me, bumping Jack aside. What does Jack do? Absolutely nothing — except wait his turn. Even when we’re out walking, if a group of dog friends see me, gathering around for a treat, Jack sits and waits outside the assembly of hungry hounds.. He never shows any panic that he might not get a treat. He just waits, knowing, trusting, believing his moment of treat delight will come,

Oh, to be like Jack! We know we have never seen God fail. He has always provided exactly what we need. Why then do we so easily panic when trials come our way? Oh, to sit and wait like Jack, trusting, believing with every passing moment that a blessing will come our way right when it’s best for us.

Unlike Jack, you and I can be so impatient. We know what we want and what we need. We’ve already told God what it is — just to help Him out — but still we are waiting. Nothing is happening. Panic begins to drown out hope as the arch enemy whispers his demonic lies, “what if God does’t work it out for you? what will you do then?” Alarm bells sound loudly! Fear of the unknown grabs us by the throat, choking away any peace that was still in our hearts.

Finally, like someone sinking in stormy water, we cry out, “Help me, Lord!” Swiftly we are on dry land of hope again. Strong arms cradle us in love. We feel our body giving way to rest in our Father’s plans for us, knowing His plans are always for good and not bad (Jeremiah 29:11). We remind ourselves that He made the universe and everthing in it. He is greater than all our doubts. His love for us is immeasurable. We remember that He is molding us into His image. Being on the potter’s wheel can be uncomfortable, but when we are let out of the furnace, we are gleaming in the beauty of the Lord, reflecting His light for others to see, that they may also have hope in their own stormy seas of trouble.

Somehow, our lovable, often goofy Jack, understands, For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under Heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Therefore, he waits in trust. He knows at the just the right time his treat is coming. Then — yum yum — will it ever taste good.