Longing for the Horizon

My dogs are old. They both have arthritis and health issues. They both have slowed wayyyyyyy down in the past year. Both used to be vibrant, active dogs, going on six mile hikes with us. Now, they are lucky to do a quarter mile.

YET, when I walk out the door for MY walk, they both gaze at me with hopeful expressions. Will she still take me? Does she still love me?

Frankly, on really cold days, I don't take them. They move very slowly, and I freeze. I also figure the very cold weather is not good for their old bones. But yesterday was a nice day. I came in from MY walk, and they both were at the door, waiting for me.

"Hey pups, wanna go for a walk?"
Honeybun is deaf so just looked blankly at me, but Lucky can still hear. He wagged his tail, and frolicked at my feet like a youngster. Honeybun then understood, and danced about as well as her aching joints allowed. As I snapped on their leashes, they both waggled their whole bodies in expectant delight.

She will take me! She does still love me!

I read a most wonderful quote by CS Lewis today:
Though I do not believe (I wish I did) that my desire for Paradise proves that I shall enjoy it, I think it a pretty good indication that such a thing exists and that some men will. A man may love a woman and not win her; but it would be very odd if the phenomenon called “falling in love” occurred in a sexless world.

CS Lewis makes an excellent point. If we are created, designed beings, and I believe we are, God would not create us with a longing that cannot, at some point, be satisfied. That list of longings includes: eternity, perfection, and a world without pain, injustice, or tears. Like my dogs, I stand at the door of hope, longing....waiting.

The dogs and I went on our slow quarter mile walk. They ambled stiffly along, sniffing every blade of grass with a faraway look in their eyes. Yet, when it was time to turn around, or for sure I would be hauling them home in my arms, they both tugged at the leash. They both gazed at the horizon they could no longer reach.


And then with a sigh, they turned and we ambled slowly home, as the long shadows of the waning day tickled the grass.

Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Zechariah 8:23

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Proverbs 16:31

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

Isaiah 46:4 

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

Psalm 92:12-15 

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Leviticus 19:32 

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

Proverbs 20:29 

The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.