Tip of My Iceberg

One of the side benefits of watching Beck in Colorado is the chance to walk their dog, Wallace Waffles Wickberg, better known as Wally. We used to have a dog–Pudgy lasted sixteen years with our more than over-the-top family love. And once he passed, John made it clear there would be no more dogs.

I understand his position on this. He travels a lot, and I’m busier now than ever with family responsibilities and work. But I miss having a furry friend to be with, walk with, and have as a breathing entity when I’m home alone.

Wally is a big cuddle bug. But he is big. Our daughter reminded me that, when walking him, there’s a right way and a wrong way to hook up his halter. Put the leash on the top of the halter, Wally thinks he’s a sled dog and pulls with all his heart. The leash needs to be connected on his chest.

The other issue is that it’s considerably colder here than in Florida. When I was fully outfitted to stay warm, I looked like a cross between the Michelin man and a large sausage. The image was complete when I hooked the leash around my waist–just in case.

The walks were exhilarating. Denver is the mile-high city, so beginning at that altitude and going up took work. The cold helped. But Wally, ever aware, saw dog after dog and wanted to befriend them all.

I was grateful I was tethered to him. I’ve walked big dogs before and have been dragged because I wasn’t strong enough. My body weight helped keep him in check. He knew what he wanted to do and which way he wanted to go; it wasn’t always the direction I wanted to take him. I was in a position of restricting him.

Being tethered to someone else is a common sight for many. I’ve seen children with harnesses and leashes in stores, cats on leashes, even large lizards, all for the purpose of keeping them from running away.

We’re also tethered to people we love and care about. Not with a leash, but with an attitude of love, respect, and responsibility. Children are tethered to parents who show love and concern for them. Husbands and wives are tethered to each other through marriage, an acknowledgement of the partnership and work that’s required. Friends are tethered to one another through mutual respect. This isn’t a restriction but a selfless act of commitment that people can make to one another.

Being human means we want to do what we want to do. That doesn’t mean we’re always able to do that well. God offers us the chance to trust His guidance, His strength for us, through us.

“He is the God who made the world and everything in it….His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward Him–though He is not far from any one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist.” Acts 17:24, 27-28a

We’re seen, known, and loved by God in a way that isn’t able to be duplicated this side of heaven. Unconditional love is something we all yearn for–not love that requires us to be someone specific or do something special. God loves us because He chooses to. It has nothing to do with how good we are.

He wants to tether us to His heart, to know His love and power in and through us, and to be confident that we’ll have life with Him forever.

I was tethered to Wally for his protection, not to keep him from having fun but from getting into trouble.

We can be connected to God for He has a heart to protect and provide for us.

Not restrictive. Revitalizing and refreshing.

I can get used to that.