Waiting: A Lesson for the Advent Season

On By Beth AlisanIn Lessons

 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” -Psalm 27:14

How much of my dog’s life is spent waiting for me?

Waiting . . .

To go on a walk

To go outside to play

For my return home

For her dinner

The other day we ran into one of our favorite neighbors while out on our morning walk.  With great affection Adi greeted her and readily received the dear lady’s pats and sweet words.  While we chatted, Adi returned to my side and calmly laid down waiting for our conversation to end and our walk to resume.  “Look how calm she is,” my neighbor commented. 

That’s my Adi- girl.  She waits calmly and patiently, yet she also waits with expectation.  She knows her waiting will be rewarded.

Our walk will resume.

We’ll go out to play or romp in the fields.

I’ll always come home.

Her dinner will be served.

Truth be told, there is a good portion of my own life when I’m waiting for the Lord. 

Waiting for an answer to prayer

Waiting for understanding

Waiting for an open door.

And in this Advent season, I’m reminded that I am not only waiting to celebrate Jesus’ birth on Christmas day, but I am also waiting for His second coming. 

When I look at my pup waiting, I am reminded of the posture I need to have when waiting on the Lord- calmly, patiently, and with expectation.

My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.

Psalm 62:5, NKJV

© 2019-2023, Lessons from a Lab, Beth Alisan.  All Rights Reserved.

43 thoughts on “Waiting: A Lesson for the Advent Season”

      2. Lab approved. Love it. LOL. Right now I think the dogs are in a race with the cat to see who can completely remodel the Christmas tree first. The cat likes to take running leaps into the middle of it sending ornaments rolling while the dogs’ tails keep taking out the ornaments on the lower limbs. Unfortunately the addition of my great grandmother’s treadle sewing machine to the family room has taken the corner space where the tree used to go. The only place for the tree is front and center accessible to all two legged and four legged members of the house.

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      4. Singer knew how to make fashionable pieces in the day. The cabinet and iron treadle are elaborate and beautiful. This one dates back to the late 1800’s. With a little TLC my Dad got it up and working again. It’s so much fun to use. It has been a lovely addition to our home. I’ve only had time to make one rag quilt on it thus far.

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  2. I’ve just discovered your blog through WordPress (I’ve just reacquainted myself with my blog!) and a post recommending you. I’m so glad I found you. Twenty years ago I remember those life-giving words whispered into my heart, “Wait and watch and see what I will do!”

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    1. Welcome Heather not only to this blog but back to your own blogging journey. I hopped over and enjoyed reading your post “All is Well.” Thank you for sharing the beautiful words on waiting the Lord spoke to your heart.

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      1. Thanks Beth! Your support is very welcome. It’s been a battle for me to get back into writing and then sharing in a more public way. Thankfully I had a major breakthrough during prayer just over a week ago. 😊

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  3. Calm, patient, expectation–just like Adi. Yes, Lord, help me be like Adi as I wait for prayers to be answered, guidance to unfold, and change to occur!! (Never thought I’d pray to be like a dog, but Adi-girl is a worthy model. Thank you, Beth!

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    1. Thank you Jo! Isn’t it lovely to have eager canine faces waiting at the door upon our return. They lay in wait for the sound of a car door of footsteps at the door. I have to think how much I want to be just as eager faced and prepared for Christ’s return.

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    1. Another good carol, Nora. Last year on one of the December Sundays our church lost power during the worship service. Of course the back up generators kicked in giving us light but the sound system was non-functioning. After waiting for a bit, the congregation burst into a spontaneous hymn-sing of Christmas carols. It was absolutely lovely. Of course, Hark the Herald Angel Sings was one of the first sung.

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  6. Katherine Pasour

    My dog teaches me new lessons every day. Our Father gifted dogs with grace, kindness, and an infinite capacity to love. We are so blessed. Thank you for this inspiring message.

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    1. I am so glad it resonated with you, Linda! This lesson has been bumping around in my mind these last weeks. I wasn’t sure if the words would fall into place, but it finally came together in the last hour. I’m looking forward to your Reflection from and Open Window for December. I hope you and your family have a lovely weekend!

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    1. Thank you Rainer! You nailed it. The “right-now” world in which we live does make the wait more challenging. Sadly, that message communicates that waiting is a waste. So much is gained in the wait. For us as Christians, it is stronger faith and a closer relationship with the Lord as well as an opportunity to be a witness for Him in this dark world. I hope you and Terry have a lovely and relaxing weekend.

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  10. I absolutely love everything you write! I know my posture should not be what it sometimes is – and that’s “hurry up and wait!!” I want to be like Adi and lay down patiently before God as I wait, knowing with certainty that He will perform His will in His time. But one question – does this also apply to me waiting on the birth of our new grandson coming up soon? Surely not! 🙂 🙂 Blessings, Beth!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Patty! I can only imagine the anticipation that is pulsing through your family as you await your grandson’s arrival. It’s funny how our “hurry up” only disrupts our now without drawing us any closer to what we are waiting for.

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  11. Thank you for this lovely post Beth, both my favourite psalm and favourite verse. If only we could be as patient as Adi in that lovely picture. Let us wait, for some day our Bridegroom will appear over the horizon, Hallelujah!

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    1. Yes, it is exciting, especially as the world grows darker to know the Light is drawing closer with each passing day. Growing up, we observed Advent in our home. Every night we lit a candle, read a devotional, and added a piece to the nativity. In my child’s mind it was a countdown and preparation for Christmas. Thus, it blew me away as I grew older and learned it was also a time of preparation for Jesus’ second coming. There are several Christmas hymns where the latter stanzas (ones usually not sung) move the focus to just that.

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  13. Thank you, Beth! The subject of waiting can be intense and extensive. However, I like how you presented it here using Adi as an example. When we have sure hope in the waiting, we can wait patiently. Your post meshed so smoothly with my reading this morning in Romans (Romans 5:5). Simply beautiful!

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    1. Thank you GW! His hope never disappoints does it. I love when a comment has me reaching for my Bible and resting for a spell with a Word of comfort and encouragement. A verse that touches on two of the themes of advent- hope and love.

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    1. Thank you, Pastor Pete! The mother in me reads Mary’s account in the Bible and I’m filled with questions for her like did she have a peace that passes all understanding throughout all the challenges she faced during her pregnancy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first entry in “The Christmas Star” this morning.

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    1. Waiting. A good lesson Beth. There are a lot of ways to wait. Expectantly with Assurance is the best. The Lord can be depended upon.
      I disappoint our dog once in awhile which is probably why he waits for my wife ang and gives me the cold shoulder when I disappoint.

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      1. Thank you, Gary! It’s funny how dogs are so adept in letting us know where we stand with them. Your comment brought to mind that opening line of the hymn- “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine/ Oh what a foretaste of glory divine.” How richly blessed we are to have that foretaste to lean into as we await His return.

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