Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. (Psalm 104:1-2a)
We often receive compliments whenever someone comes for a visit about what a nice dog we have. Friendly. (Mostly) well-behaved. We agree wholeheartedly. But we did discover a quirk about Winnie a year ago.
For the last several summers, my family has celebrated July 4 at my wife’s aunt and uncle’s home in Pentwater, Michigan. They have a lovely home on the lake and we’ve created many wonderful memories there, including going down to the beach to watch fireworks, both off in the distance and ones that are, shall we say, a lot closer. Fireworks are legal in Michigan and the next-door neighbors love their fireworks. Every year, they set off their own impressive display, though not everyone is a fan. Including our dog.
I don’t know if Winnie was always scared of loud sounds, but ever since the fireworks display of 2016, she gets very nervous when she hears loud booms like thunderstorms and, yes, fireworks. As we were walking around downtown Pentwater this past July 4, we noticed that the pet store was selling a product called, ThunderShirt, a vest that is supposed to help your pet deal with anxiety (like loud noises) by applying “gentle, constant pressure, similar to swaddling an infant.” I was skeptical at first, but, after doing some online research, decided to give it a shot.
Before the fireworks started that night, we put the ThunderShirt on Winnie and as soon as she heard the first crackle, she disappeared. She usually tries to find some enclosed location to hide out until the noises subside. This year, she hid out in the bathroom, while also wearing her ThunderShirt. I think the jury is still out as to whether it’s fully successful, but we did notice that she didn’t tremble, like she sometimes does. I think the ThunderShirt is here to stay.
I think many of us yearn for our own ThunderShirts when faced with anxiety, uncertainty, and separation. We desire something that makes us feel safe and, when we’re honest with ourselves, too often will escape to places that don’t fully do the trick. But, as the psalmist notes, God yearns to clothe us with honor and majesty, to wrap us with light. Will we allow God to enfold us? Will we sit still long enough for us to feel the warm embrace? Take time in your day to imagine this beautiful image of God, protecting and surrounding us as in the midst of life’s big booms.