My two dogs, Belle and Tink only differ in weight by five pounds but in Bichon terms that can mean a world of difference. Belle, who is five years old, weighs fourteen pounds and Tink who is three, weighs nine. The most noticeable difference is that Tink can squeeze her body through the fence in our back yard and take off round the lake whereas Belle, with all the will in the world hasn’t a hope. Most of the time I put Tink on a long tether so that she has freedom to run around the yard but not lead me on a merry dance in front of our neighbors while I am still in my pajamas. But one morning recently I let the girls out and before I had time to hook Tink to her leash of grace, she took off! I called the little monkey’s name and Belle barked and barked but Tink was free and she intended to be fully present in every moment. I opened the gate and ran after her, making sure that Belle was safe in the yard. Tink would let me get to within a couple of feet of her and then she would dance off again. Finally she tired of the game and let me pick her up. I find it very difficult to even fake being cross with Tink as she is adorable but I gave it my best shot as I’m afraid one of these days she’ll get out and run into the road. Well, whatever she received from me did not prepare her for what was about to happen when I returned her to the safety of the house. Belle just lit into her. I watched this mini-melodrama unfold as Belle barked and barked at her and then proceeded to drag Tink into a corner by her ear. Once she had a totally captive audience she let Tink have the whole speech. When Belle was finished, Tink got up and with her tail wagging at turbo speed, gave Belle a kiss.

I thought a lot about that encounter. Even though it seemed extreme to me, Tink received it in the spirit that she felt it – love. Belle is protective of Tink and gets very anxious when she is not able to watch over her.

You and I have a heavenly Father who never takes his eyes off us and no matter where we find ourselves, we are never out of his loving care. Even when we squeeze into tight spots, he is there, able to reach us, loving us all the time. The psalmist David put it this way,

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.”

Psalm 139:7-10 (NKJV)

I pray that you know that today, you are loved, you are loved,

you are loved!