Too Slow – Devotion 87

Apparently I am slow.  I knew I wasn’t as fast as I wanted to be.  I surely would like to be a little quicker on my feet.  I generally feel good about what I get done in a day – it can’t be that I am THAT slow.  But there is at least one in my life that begs to differ.  For this one, I am slow…really slow…impatiently slow…box turtle with nowhere to go slow.

I have a morning routine that I follow.  It helps to keep me focused and calm my anxieties.  I get up and exercise.  Then, I take care of a few things around the kitchen.  After those are done, the exciting part begins – I make coffee.  It may be one of the highlights of my day…well, except when the filter falls and I have to start over (I am not drinking weak coffee if I can help it).  I also make a protein shake – all so I can carry it out on my back patio and enjoy.  Sounds great.  And it is.  Except, I have left out a part of the routine.  His name is Leo.

You see, during my routine, Leo is trying to speed me along.  I make coffee too slow.  I make my shake too slow.  I take care of the few things I have to do way too slow.  Why?  Because when I go sit on the back patio, he gets to go run in the backyard and chase bugs.  It is the moment he has been waiting for – and waiting pretty impatiently I might add.  No – he will not go out by himself to play.  He requires that I am sitting in my chair outside.  That is the way it has to be.  That means he has to wait for me to finish my entire routine.  He knows every part of it.  He gets a little more excited with each part that I complete.  If I delay, he comes up to me to nudge me along.  If I seem to slow down, he whines extremely loud so I will speed up.  He waits ever so excitedly at the back door – just for me.  Only…I move too slow.

I try to tell Leo to be patient.  We have a little talk about how he has to be patient so I can get everything done.  He looks at me like he doesn’t care what I am saying…just get the stuff done so I can go play outside.  This morning, I couldn’t help but laugh.  I am trying to teach my dog patience and I struggle with it myself.  I somehow expect my sweet Leo to sit at the back door and wait for me to finish all I have to do without whining when I complain every time things are not done at my own speed.  I have the ability to understand patience and I don’t excel at it.  So maybe today, I start talking to myself when I talk to Leo…be patient – it will all happen in due time.  Be patient – I am doing my best and it will be okay.  Be patient – we will get there, I promise.  Be patient, Brad – God is working all of this out – trust him.  Just be patient.

Focus Scripture:

Colossians 1:11-12

¹¹ May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery