Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Learning to Wait

Henry and I are in a puppy kindergarten class. This week's lesson: Wait.

Basically I teach him not to cross a certain line that I "draw" by swinging my arm like a pendulum in front of him and saying firmly, "Wait." The purpose is really twofold: (1) teaching Henry better manners by not trying to be the first one out (or in) the door and (2) safety in case we were ever in a situation where I needed him to stay put temporarily. He learned it really quickly. Mostly during my lunch hour today. Of course he will need many, many, many more reinforcements before he really gets it and will do it even if I don't have a cookie in my hand or in the presence of distractions.

So, I was just thinking how much that still applies to us humans. How hard it is for us to wait for things! As my good friend Crayl could testify, it's da#n hard. She probably wouldn't say da#n, though. Are we willing to wait even if we can't see the cookie? How many reinforcements do we need before we get it right? Do we forget after only a short period?

Just my ponderings for today.

I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
Psalm 130:5


P.S. Thanks for praying Crayl. I found my bracelet. :-)

2 comments:

Thany said...

Praise God! Both on Henry AND the bracelet!
I am very very happy.

Maybe I should try the swinging pendulum arm with my kids?

Amy said...

YAY!! Praise God indeed!!

(I must say though.. cookies help the waiting.. (well in my case anyway))