Harnesses, Seat Belts and Freedom!

                                                   

                                                      

“If you hold to my teaching, you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”*

     Al and I have always been dog lovers. When we got married, he already had a young golden retriever. Al had trained him to sit, stay and follow his every command. A few years later, we acquired another retriever, the son of the dog mentioned previously. He was also trained by Al and was very obedient, even though he was my ‘baby.’

     The two of them would go walking with us on mountain roads, hiking trails and would run alongside when we used our cross country skis. They wouldn’t stray too far and were good about coming back when we called them. The pair were good about walking on leash too. They both knew how to heel and usually wouldn’t try to run ahead or pull on their leashes. The four of us had many great adventures and I always enjoyed our outings.

     Over the years things changed, until finally the dog run stood empty. I really missed our furry friends...so in 2012 we decided to adopt a couple of rescue animals, mostly at my urging. That’s how our family expanded to include another golden whom we named Teddy and a small black lab dubbed TJ.

     Teddy and TJ were under one year old when we brought them to our home in Springville. Already some bad habits had been formed, probably the very reasons they had ended up in a ‘dog rescue’ home. If a gate was left open or there was a hole in the fence, Teddy would manage to find it and would run away as fast as he could, without looking back. Of course TJ was always close behind him.

     Since Al was recovering from surgery at the time we got the dogs, their training was left mostly up to me. It had been my idea to get them in the first place so I felt compelled to do it. However, my voice wasn’t as convincing as Al’s, nor was my authority as strong as the bond they had with each other. Needless to say, any training was quickly forgotten the moment they were able to get beyond my reach.

     When we moved to the suburbs of the big city, they needed to be on leash anytime they were taken out of the yard. Although Al was walking again without pain, it still wasn’t comfortable for him to go out for very long. I decided to take the responsibility for walking both dogs as part of our regular routine.

     Of the two dogs, energetic TJ has been the hardest for me to control. A new harness with a metal loop down on his chest where the leash is attached has helped. However, he still often lurches out ahead of Teddy and me, requiring a strong pull to bring him back by my side.

     After two years of consistent commands and walking several days a week, Teddy and TJ have improved. My confidence has grown, even though we still turn around and go in the opposite direction when we see another dog coming along with its owner. We all look forward to going out for daily walks now and are disappointed when the weather doesn’t cooperate!

     When I asked our youngest grandson, who will be having a birthday soon, what would be the greatest thing about turning eight years old, he joyfully answered, “Freedom from the car seat!” In his eyes, getting out of the ‘baby seat’ will be a sign of growing up, even though he’ll still have to wear a seat belt.

     Trading leashes for harnesses or one type of restraint for another can be freeing in a way. As we learn to surrender control of our lives to God, trusting Him with everything, we experience a new type of freedom—freedom from sin and Satan’s control so that we can become the people He created us to be.

     In talking to his followers about freedom, Jesus said that the one who sins is a slave to sin. No one is exempt from bondage to sin except Jesus Himself. But as God’s Holy Son, Jesus has the power to set us free—not to serve sin and self, but free to serve God and others. “So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36a NIV

*John 8:53b-54 NIV