Devotionals

Tethered

by Linda Lawrence 
04/22/19
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Pacing in my lovely backyard, I heard myself counting my wants instead of my blessings. Just like Eve, I was surrounded by gifts of my Creator yet believing God was withholding something good. Freedom was my forbidden fruit. I am the healthy caregiver for my home-bound husband. Periodically, I struggle with feeling tethered to his needs and tempted to wonder if God cares about my needs.

 

Was I so foolish that I would follow Eve's footsteps rather than Jesus's? No! I want my heart and head transformed and conformed to be like Jesus, not counting freedom to be grasped, but willing to lay it aside to share the limitations of my husband's present life. He is also tethered—to a walker. His boundaries have also shrunken—to the walls of our house.

 

Lord, could these shrinking boundaries be Your arms tightening around us, drawing us closer and closer to Your heart? You must mean this for good. What is Your perspective of our being tethered? 

 

That very day I came across these words from the Lord: “I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” (Hosea 11:4 NKJV)

Oh Lord, Your perspective is so different from mine! 

 

When the tether feels like a heavy, wearisome yoke, God calls us to come unto Him so He can lift the weighty burden and tether Himself to us. He can keep us from falling like Eve as she grasped for more. That fruit was forbidden only to test her commitment to love and trust Him. He stoops down and gives us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — fruits that satisfy and are never forbidden.