The Power of Patience: Lessons from my pup
Trust, Wait, Receive:
The Blessings of Patience in God's Timing.
God speaks to us in many different ways. Sometimes, it’s through scripture, other times through people, and occasionally—through our pets. In Numbers 22, God used a donkey to speak to Balaam, and every once in a while, He uses my dog, Finley, to speak to me. No, Finley doesn’t physically talk like Balaam’s donkey did, but I hear God just the same.
One day, while preparing my meals for the week—specifically, some grilled chicken—I noticed something about Finley. Every week, I cook, and every week, Finley sits patiently beside me, waiting for something to fall. If you’ve ever been around Finley, you know that patience is one of his defining traits. He doesn’t whine, cry, or make a fuss. He simply sits, looking up at me, waiting expectantly. He believes, without a doubt, that at some point, I will either drop something or notice his patience and give him a piece of what I have. Wherever I move in the kitchen, he's right there, waiting.
This time, as I was cooking, I found myself setting aside a small portion of chicken just for Finley. It wasn’t because he needed it or even because he asked for it—he never did. It was because he was patient. His quiet expectation moved me to reward him.
And in that moment, God spoke to me.
He reminded me that I didn’t promise Finley anything, yet I gave to him simply because he waited patiently. How much more does our heavenly Father desire to bless us when we wait on Him with patience and expectation? Everytime I looked down, Finley was looking up at me. It made me reflect and ask myself, "am I always looking to my Father?" If I'm honest, I'm not always but when I'm not, the Lord so sweetly reminds me of Finley.
So often, when God makes us a promise, we grow impatient. We get restless, anxious, and sometimes even doubtful. We start questioning His timing, wondering if He's forgotten about us. But what if, instead of striving and stressing, we simply sat in His presence—like Finley—waiting, trusting, and expecting?
James 1:4 tells us, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Patience refines us, matures us, and positions us to receive all that God has for us.
If I, as a mere human, am moved to reward my dog for his patience, how much more will our Father in heaven bless us when we wait on Him with trust and expectation? I didn't make a promise to give Finley food but I did, God has made thousands of promises to us, why wouldn't He do what He said? He is loving, kind, and faithful. His promises are true. So the next time you find yourself getting impatient, take a lesson from Finley—trust, wait, and look up expectantly at your Father. He sees you, and in His perfect timing, He will give you more than you ever imagined.
How patient will you be?
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