Wait. Did you know that "wait" is an active verb? It's conjugated like one. But so many times in our minds, "wait" tends to be interpreted as only a period of doing nothing. (Maybe sometimes doing nothing is really okay after all? Just a question) In any case, yesterday I was reminded that one of the hardest things to teach an animal to do is wait. The anticipation of what's to come is just so much more exciting. Here's one example of someone that does not like to wait: Smoke (the horse). He does not like to wait on his food. If I don't tell him to wait, if I don't specifically ask him to actively stand back in that same spot and not move his feet whilst I prepare his breakfast or dinner, he constantly finds his own thing to do: mischief. He stomps. He paws. He paces. He rakes his teeth over the fence boards and tosses his head. He behaves terribly and is a general all around nuisance! His bad manners placed Elliot (the old pet ram) at risk a few weeks ago when he carelessly stepped on Elliot's rear hoof. Fortunately, it was just a cut. Elliot had to wear a bandage wrap for a couple of days but he quickly got over it. It scared me though. It could have been worse. Now I remember to consistently demand that Smoke stand still and wait. He's not stupid. He can do it. He just doesn't want to.
In the succinct words of one of the kids Pastor Mike interviewed this past Sunday during his sermon about why they don't like to wait, "waiting is boring!" Now enter Birdie. How do you teach a nine week old puppy to wait? The answer? Well, so far, I don't really know. But what I do know is that with love, consistency and patience, along with a generous investment of time in what will be a valuable relationship, one can begin to build trust and rapport. And that's where it all starts. So yesterday I took Birdie off-leash into an empty field. (This way she couldn't get into any trouble for chasing sheep, even though she hasn't fully thought that one through yet as far as I can tell). She followed me here and there until we finally stopped at the gate that leads into the big field where the ewes are kept. Lance was mowing the grass out there and making quite a bit of a racket while kicking up a whole lot of dust. The sheep made their way over to where I was and stood on their side of the fence close by. They wanted attention. Several of them eyed Birdie suspiciously though, and stood several paces back at what they deemed a safer distance. Fern stomped her foot and flared her nostrils at the puppy. I leaned over the fence, pretending to watch Lance. I reached over and scratched Amelia (who was less bothered) behind the ears. After several minutes of "doing nothing" everyone began to relax. A few of the sheep started yawning lazily. Birdie flopped down in the soft dirt nearby my feet. I slowly walked over and calmly stroked her baby soft coat, telling her she was a good girl. I slipped her a treat and went back to the fence. Ah the value of doing nothing. One day, I hope Birdie will be a good friend to the sheep. Great Pyrenees dogs were bred to be livestock guardians. But right now, she's just a puppy. Right now, I'm working to build the relationship through trust so that hopefully later on when I ask her to wait, there won't be a problem. I want her to feel confident knowing that when I ask her to wait, I will always come back for her. What about us then? What about when God tells us to "wait here" and it seems like He is gone? We technically *know* He's not really gone... But sometimes when we can't see Him or sense His presence in any way, it certainly doesn't make it very easy. What if He falls silent? There are moments I have with God when I feel like stomping like an impatient horse, and other moments when I feel scared and want to run off and hide somewhere, anywhere, like I imagine a scared puppy might. Of course everything is so different with God. Some things I just don't understand. He has been called the Good Shepherd though; and I do know that He is good. I can choose to develop a relationship of mutual trust with Him over time. And over time, I'll recognize, if even later, how an Almighty, invisible God could both have great patience with my tantrums and calm my fears like a shepherd might go find and comfort and hold a scared puppy. Or maybe I just didn't recognize when He was there right beside me, reassuring me that sheep are friends and, although mowers are noisy, everything is fine. So what's the take home? Did I take all of your attention here to just tell you a couple of stories and then acknowledge that oftentimes waiting can be hard? Well, I'll leave the interpretation up to each of you. Search your heart yourself and think about it. It's just an analogy. Kinda like a parable you can think about and determine the meaning for yourself between you and God. For me this is a memory post. The top of the post is dated 1/4/23. This is the date I wrote the original draft of this in my prayer journal. The story of Birdie had actually taken place the day before. Normally you won't be getting stories from my prayer journal, but here is an exception. And a little over 10 months after I wrote this, Lance, under the care of Hospice and right here in our living room, passed from this life into the next. Now in this season as I look back and reflect on my own life, and on the past year especially, I also look forward, albeit with sadness and cautiousness, to what lies ahead. And in the meantime, I'll do my best not to get antsy or scared, or start spinning circles or pace, but just to patiently wait. I know my God will take care of me. He's a Good Shepherd. I just need to stay next to Him and wait.
2 Comments
9/16/2024 04:06:55 pm
So many things to ponder in this post. It brought tears to my eyes.
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Wanda Day
9/17/2024 08:38:49 pm
Was a great blessing for me. Sad about Lance. Lesson learned. I can get impatient. Need to relax and realize that I am not in control. Thank you for sharing.
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AuthorI'm Debbie. I love listening to chickens cackle and sing. I love Lindt chocolate truffles, a good cup of coffee, and a good book. Archives
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