Had occasion to recall a dog that I used to walk. Normally, she was well-behaved and a joy to take to the park. One day, however, this good dog showed a quite different side to her regular disposition. She pulled and pulled and would not stop when I told her to heel. After several attempts at same, I was forced to yank her leash and propel her anxiousness backwards.

Apparently, a dog can forget about the person at the other end of the leash.

Now, what about dog spelled backwards? Do we sometimes forget about God walking along with us in this life? Do we still, as early Quakers cautioned, sometimes race ahead of God's Spirit? And, do we force God to get rough with us - even to propel us backwards, so we remember what it is to walk the right way through life?

G.K. Chesterton said that the Church is like a giant playground. We should feel free to venture far and wide as long as we respect the boundaries which are for our safety. I would add that free will is best exercised on a short leash, cognizant that God is at the other end. Then, life is really just a walk in the park.