Bound to be free

This summer we installed an invisible fence to give Nugent more room to run yet keep him safe. He learned quickly. What a good boy! The big day came after several weeks of training - the day we let him run totally free. I was terrified. What if he ran off? What if the collar didn't work? What if . . .

I checked the collar at least five times. With a deep breath, I opened the door. He tore out of the garage. I think he might have missed the two steps. I ran out to keep an eye on him. The exercise just to keep him in sight exhausted me. He darted from one boundary to another, turning back only after hearing the warning signal from his collar.

Then my worst fear was realized. He crossed the line! Suddenly, he yelped! How could I get to him before he got badly hurt or ran off? He yelped some more and darted back inside his play area. My baby scurried back to my arms. I breathed a humungous sigh of relief and generously praised him. After a slobbery lick to my cheek, he was off again, free to run in his safe zone.

While crossing that boundary hurt him, if he had continued on, he could have been hurt much worse. He could have gotten hit by a car, hurt by another animal - many dangers awaited him on the other side.

That got me thinking. God gives us boundaries designed to keep us safe. Sometimes we cross the line. It hurts. Sometimes we keep going anyway, and we begin a downward spiral in our life. The cool thing is that God will always be there to welcome us back. He is so happy that the angels rejoice! While I probably wouldn't lick God on the cheek to show my gratitude, I should definitely thank Him - for the forgiveness and the limitations.

For within those God-given boundaries, I am free. Thanks, God.