My dog Zeke has learned a new trick.
It started when my son Andy began working with his golden retriever puppy (yes, puppy–although at six months old he’s as big as a moose!), training him, trying to get him to balance a dog treat on his nose until he receives the command, “Get it!”
It took a lot of patience for Andy to teach Zeke to do the same. And it takes a lot of patience for Zeke to sit there with a delicious cookie right in front of his eyes without being able to gobble it up!
Patience is a skill that I’m still working on, myself.
Scripture says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him….” (Psalm 37:7) I’m not good at being still. I flit from one project to the next. Sometimes two at once. Isn’t it our way to be multitasking? I like to read a book while walking on the treadmill. My mom has to knit or crochet while watching TV.
The most difficult time for me to be patient is when waiting for an answer to prayer. Sometimes I pray for direction, or for a solution to a problem. All I can think about is that problem. When I don’t hear an answer, I get frustrated. I want to know now!
Sometimes I’m so busy trying to figure out what to do, I’m not sitting back and listening to God’s answer. To hear His answer means to rest in God’s perfect timing. And yup, that takes patience.
Patience doesn’t develop overnight. Just like Zeke didn’t learn his new trick overnight. And, just like Zeke, I’m going to have to keep working at waiting and listening and being still.
God is loving and patient with us. Surely I can be patient, too. Only then will I hear God’s loving response, His guidance or direction. Impatience often results in unpreparedness, and foolish decisions. In all things, have patience. And we will be rewarded.
Just like Zeke.
