As part of my blessed life, I share my home with three cats and three dogs. Today, I’d like to focus on two of those dogs, because their very different personalities remind me of two attitudes that we often carry in life and faith.
Whenever someone in our house is preparing food, these dogs display a faith I wish I had more often. They believe—without doubt—that something good will come their way.
But when something drops, even something as small as a frozen vegetable, their reactions are strikingly different.
First, we have Walter. He’s got the hustle of an entrepreneur, the tenacity of a sprinter, and the focus of a short-term planner. Whether it’s a steak or a crumb, Walter charges after it with all his energy, convinced that good things are about to happen. Walt is the optimist—the one who seizes opportunities.
Then there’s Kelly. She sulks. She waits. She plays the victim. If something happens to drop right in front of her, she’ll take it, but she won’t chase after what could be hers. Kelly represents the “woe is me” attitude, content with little because she won’t move toward more.
If I’m honest, I’ve lived in both seasons. There have been “Kelly” times in my life where I sat back, discouraged, expecting little and receiving little. But in this current season, by God’s grace, I’m learning to be more like Walter—to run after what God has for me with faith and determination.
It reminds me of Paul’s encouragement: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV).
God doesn’t call us to sulk in defeat or simply wait for crumbs to fall. He calls us to pursue Him, to chase after His promises, and to believe that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)
Take a moment to reflect: are you living like Kelly—waiting passively and playing the victim—or like Walter—running in faith toward the opportunities God has placed before you? This week, pray for the courage to step into “Walter faith.” Pursue God with passion, chase after His Word, and believe that His plans for you are good (Jeremiah 29:11).
Run the race. Don’t just wait for crumbs.
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