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“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love.”
John 15:9 (ESV)

An invisible tether

“Danger, danger, Will Robinson” was a warning of an impending threat in the 60’s television series Lost in Space. As children, my brother and I faithfully watched this show. Will Robinson, tethered to his surrogate protector, a robot, explored unknown territories,

On August 18, 1972, I gladly tethered, secured, myself to my husband.

Standing in front of an altar that August night, my daddy placed my hand in Steve’s.

And in that moment, I transferred my whole self, my life, my trust from my parents’ care into Steve’s.

The one I had prayed for since I was a little girl was now my husband.

The Bible talks about this special union of marriage.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24 (ESV)

Babies were born, and we learned to be parents. Days of tucking children in bed all safe and sound, and most of the time happy, evolved into watching them fall in love, marry, have children and face their own hard seasons.

Learning how to give and take in the ebb and flow of marriage, we grew up together. It wasn’t always easy.

Hard things threatened our relationship, our marriage, and the tether was stretched to it’s limit. But with God’s help, it remained unbroken.

During difficult seasons, I rested in my husband. When I felt unsettled, his voice calmed me. He was my perfect fit. I found so much joy in being his.

One last heartbeat, and the tether was broken.

Instantly, in a single moment, untethered…lost.

That’s what we have in common, sweet sister. Our circumstances may be different, but in a single moment, we became untethered. The chapters of our lives are unique and wonderfully written, but as widows, we understand the loss of what used to be.

In the roar of grief, sorrow and fear, a voice could be heard breaking through…

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Revelation 22:13 (NIV)

Fearful of being alone without Steve, the Lord spoke,

“I am the first, I am the last… I hold the middle. Abide in Me.”

When it seems I am a ‘home of only one’, He tells me,

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
John 14:23 (ESV)

As a young wife and mother, I loved with a perfectly, imperfect heart. I happily clung to Steve, a wonderful gift from a loving Father, but Jesus held us both.

When there are days, I miss Steve more than I think I can bear, and I wonder if joy will fill my heart again, He reminds me…

“And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:5 (NIV)

“Come and reside with me and I’ll show you My glory. Abide in Me.”

Will peace fill my heart again?

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
John 10:9 (NASB)

“I am the Door, come enter in to peaceful meadows. Abide in Me.”

I am tethered to Jesus. More times than ever before, I seek the comfort and peace only Jesus can provide. For every need, before sound is given to the words, He whispers these truths to my heart. He reminds my battered heart that it is He who calms the storms and makes the way peaceful again.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to rest in You. Calm our hearts that we may be able to hear You clearly. Remind us that we are tethered securely in Your love. Amen.