Puppies, Prayer, and the Practice of Patience: What My Dogs Are Teaching Me
What two wild puppies taught me about patience, purpose, and the sacred art of waiting
When we got our first dog, Mr. Bingley, he was gentle, docile, and was unable to do anything remotely athletic.
Sweet Bingley couldn’t jump down from anything higher than 18 inches—he’d just stand there looking personally victimized by gravity. (and, yes, we always provided him with a pillow so he could sliiiiiide down)
About 6 months after Bingley died, my husband and I prayed about adding another pup to the family. We thought, “What if we could have TWO puppies? One for each lap and they can keep each other company.”
We were not prepared for these two!
God, in His infinite generosity (2 for 1) and sense of humor, sent us Chester and Dash.
And let me just say: Mr. Bingley walked so they could sprint, leap, and body-slam their way into our lives.
Mount Sofamore & the Dash Olympics
Chester believes our couch is Mount Everest, and he must conquer it every 12 minutes. That puppy playpen we purchased to contain them? Chester jumped out of it in TWO days.
Dash? Dash thinks gravity is optional. He approaches life like the floor is lava and he’s auditioning for American Ninja Warrior: Puppy Edition.
At just four months old, they decided:
Chew toys? Meh. Julie’s favorite tea towels taste better.
Walks? Cute. Hallway parkour is faster.
Commands? Sorry, I can’t hear you over the sound of my own zoomies.
By day three, our living room looked like a toddler’s bounce house and my nerves were... tender. (Possibly chewed on.)
The Spiritual Plot Twist
Somewhere between mopping puddles and prying my shoe from Dash’s jaws, we were literally crying out to the Lord for HELP and wisdom, and the Holy Spirit did that still, small whisper:
“Patience isn’t passive—it’s practiced.”
That stopped me.I wanted the puppies to calm down. To mature overnight. To quit acting like caffeinated toddlers with zero bladder control. But they didn’t need my eye rolls—they needed my training, my consistency, and my compassion.
And then I saw it:
I was doing the same thing with God.
How I Waited Like a Puppy
Waiting for that prayer to be answered
Waiting for clarity on the next right thing
Waiting for healing in a relationship
Waiting for breakthrough in my calling
I wanted to be there already.
God was inviting me to train for it now.
Like my pups, my soul is still learning. But God is a far better Trainer than I am.
He doesn’t shame us into growth—He lovingly shapes us through it. He meets us on the floor, not just the mountaintop. Even when we’re chewing metaphorical shoes.
A Tiny Practice for Your Own Waiting Season
You don’t need a 5-year plan. You just need 5 minutes with the Holy Spirit.
Here’s a simple journal prompt to meet God right where you are:
“Lord, what are You growing in me while I wait?”
Set a timer for five minutes.
Write freely.
Don’t edit. Just exhale.
You can use your favorite journal (or one not yet destroyed by puppies), or a napkin or scrap of paper.
(If you need more structure, my 30-Day Journal for Growth in Uncertain Seasons is made for this exact moment.)
Imagine This…
Today, Chester and Dash (usually) sit on command.
They don’t tackle the couch every hour, the crashing lamps happen less frequently, and the tea towels are safe.
They even curl up beside us while reading or watching television - tails still, hearts calm, ready to rest.
It didn’t happen overnight.
But now, there’s evidence of the slow, sacred work.
And friend, your story will have that evidence too. The prayers answered. The perspective gained. The peace that grew inside you when you didn’t even notice.
There is joy coming. Keep walking. Keep waiting. Keep growing.
With joy (and a pocket full of puppy treats),
Julie
Sweet boys - Chester and Dash
