Watching And Waiting

It was one of those gray days.
Misty rain changed to actual raindrops without warning.
No need for sunglasses.
No need for the visor to be pulled down as I drove around doing errands.

I pulled into the parking lot of my natural pharmacy.
The building used to be an old bank; even the vault is still there.
I tend to park in the same general area.
I noticed it as I pulled towards the parking space.

A car was parked on the left side of the lot.
The driver had backed into the space.
What I noticed first were the flashing lights, which were shining on the side of the building.
The flashing lights were easy to see, since the driver had pulled in backwards.

Quickly glancing, I didn’t see any driver in the car.
I made a mental note, as I pulled into my parking space, to mention the lights when I got inside.
Perhaps the owner would be near the register.
Then, as I got out of my car, I saw it.

I was wrong that there was not a driver in the car, since there was something in the front seat.
I figured out how the lights were flashing.
There, in the driver’s seat, was a little dog.
The little dog had its front paws on the dashboard.

I decided that the little paws were pushing a button to make the lights flash.
The dog was oblivious to what it was doing.
The dog was intently looking at the front door of the pharmacy.
When I walked by, the dog never looked away from the entrance.

That door was where its owner had gone when the dog last saw him.
The dog was faithfully watching for the owner’s return.
I wanted to take a picture, but thought better of it.
The picture in my mind’s eye was enough.

I wondered what the dog would do once it saw its owner.
I assumed the little dog would jump up and down in excitement.
I assumed the little dog would make joyful dog sounds at the owner’s return.
Flashing lights made no difference; the dog was faithfully keeping watch.

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. (Luke 12:34-37)

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
(Matthew 24:42)

I smiled at the little dog.
I smiled thinking about the intent stare towards the front door of the pharmacy.
I smiled thinking about the flashing lights of which the dog was unaware.
I wondered how tired its little paws were while waiting until the master returned.

I finished quickly and returned to my car.
The little dog was still there, in the same position, with the lights still flashing.
That little dog challenged me.
Am I waiting that faithfully for my Lord Jesus to return?

Am I keeping watch well?
How will I respond when the skies open and I see my Lord Jesus return?
Will I make sounds of delight?
Will I jump up and down, so thrilled to see His face?

Come Lord Jesus!
May You find me faithfully watching for You to return.
Keep my gaze free from distractions as I anticipate your coming.
Maranatha!

 

2 responses to “Watching And Waiting”

1. Dear Gina,
   Ever the wordsmith and image maker, you blessed my soul and challenged me to watch with eager heart, undistracted, for the Lover of my soul. Thank you.

   Reply

   • Oh, Michelle, this Whisper was meant to do just that…remind us to faithfully watch and wait for our Lord Jesus to return.
     Gina

     Reply