Lessons From a Golden Retriever

Lucky Dog

A few years ago, we said goodbye to our beloved golden retriever, Lucky. One of her greatest gifts to our family was what I would call her covenantal love: a love so devoted and enduring while at the same time playful. She will forever hold a prominent place in my heart for her frolicsome, gentle and motherly attention she paid to my children throughout their childhoods. No matter how many times they grabbed her tail or climbed on her back, Lucky patiently endured it. If she didn’t like it, she simply walked away. She played tug of war and gave just enough resistance to make it fun for the kids. Then when she played with Doug, her alpha, she pulled with all her strength. She knew just how much to resist and I never worried she would hurt them. I wonder if God is sometimes like that with us.

In the tension of the tug-of-war between dog and child, I think of my relationships today, living in just enough creative tension to promote surprise and growth. As my children return to college for their senior year, the push and pull of our relationships naturally play out amidst my desire to make time stand still. I feel like I’m still learning from Lucky as I navigate this push and pull while leaving room for the unexpected. I’m learning that tension is not always a bad thing as long as it can help me to love at ever deeper levels.