God, can you give me faith like my dog???

It’s 6:30 pm. Dinner is ready, and we are hungry. We are pretty good about having dinner as a family. Kids will do that to you. Believe it or not, they are hungry every single night! Maybe that’s where child like faith comes in? They believe I am going to feed them all the time. Their faith in me is definitely there, but attitudes can use some adjusting from time to time. Now, there is one family member with a pretty good attitude most of the time. Our goofy, eighty ish pound, chocolate lab, hunk of a pup Gumbeaux (Gum-bo), could teach us all a thing or two about what true faith in God really looks like.

Click Here and scroll to the bottom to “Meet our Pup”! https://thegirlwhoseesgod.com/about-2/

We have heard about child like faith. But what about dog like faith? Jesus doesn’t really talk about that. Or does he? 

During dinner, we sit around the table per usual and say grace. Watching our toddlers say “Amen” is just about the sweetest thing ever. I’m starting to see how the little daily things are what really grow their faith in God. Sometimes Dawson and Belle really like what’s on the menu, and sometimes not so much. But, there is one thing that is guaranteed. Gumbeaux is at our feet, ready for a bite, no matter what is on the plate. Our pup is faithful and consistent. He is always there! It doesn’t matter how much he got yesterday. His disappointments yesterday don’t stop him from being fully hopeful today. Gumbeaux isn’t phased by the waves of life, and his faith in us isn’t hindered when life isn’t perfect. He perseveres with a delightful eagerness that makes me love him even more. 

Indeed, Gumbeaux might know a little something about the fruits of the Spirit. Gumbeaux is patient, as he will calmly wait his turn. He knows that he doesn’t have to bark, whine, or jump to get fed. Gumbeaux is patiently waiting at our feet for his helping. It’s as if he is willing to accept whatever his portion is for the evening. He knows we are the holder of good things for him. He is fully dependent upon us yet fully hopeful that we will provide. And Gumbeaux usually turns out to be right. He will get his typical dinner with a few added goodies to his bowl along with a belly rub or two. Not too shabby if I say so myself!

Rely on God. Put ALL faith and trust in Him.

You see, just as we are responsible for giving Gumbeaux what he needs when he needs it, God is responsible for giving you what you need when you need it. God is the holder of good things for you, and His timing matters too. We can’t give our dog snacks all the time. That would hurt him. So, God knows what is good for you and when too much of a good thing might hurt you. That is why faith and trust are so important. 

So, what does authentic faith in God look like? God doesn’t want us to doubt Him when we didn’t get something when we thought we would. We are meant to keep coming to our Father filled with hope and sureness that He has exactly what we need for today. This is how we should approach the throne of grace, day after day, again and again. Overflowing with joy and peace of belonging to Him, knowing without a shadow of a doubt, that He is going to take care of us. What a way to live life! I think that is what freedom feels like. To have our hearts position to be untamed and wildly optimistic with no hesitation towards our Lord and Savior. Sounds like true surrender. So God, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if you molded my heart to be a little more like a precious chocolate lab that I’m quite fond of. 

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

““But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”

Jeremiah 17:7 NLT