A Stubborn Horse

Some of our favorite times as a family is in the car; singing, playing games and just talking about life. This particular day, we had been to church and our oldest was reminiscing back to a horseback riding trip we took in the Fall. We laughed as we remembered the fun adventure and memories made that day. One of the highlights, was how his horse just didn’t listen well. I informed my son, “Aww, your first lesson into parenting." That gave you a taste of what we go through at times when we have to repeat ourselves like 20 times to pick up your shoes, hang your towel up, pick up your toys and clean up your room! I mean some of those reminders are given Every. Single. Day. Multiple times each day! We aren't the only ones that deal with this, right?

How quickly, we parents or grandparents, forget of our moments as children when we had to be reminded to clean our room, pick-up our clothes or some tasks kids ‘just don’t want to do' in general….But, more importantly, what about those moments that we didn’t listen and follow God? I’m going to stop here, and introduce to our oldest and his first writing for our family blog and let him give you his account of our last horseback riding experience.

When we went horseback riding, my horse was somewhat stubborn. I had never ridden a horse that would not let me guide it. I knew the horse knew the trail better than me and had traveled the path many times before me, but the horse should have listened to me. At the very beginning of the ride there was a big slick rock and the trail was extra muddy. I tried to guide the horse away from the rock and onto a clearer path. The horse would not listen to me at all. No matter how hard I pulled to the left I could never get the horse to start going on the correct path. We ended up slipping on the rock. No worries, no one or horse was hurt! I had not been on the horse for five minutes and I already knew this would be one heck of a ride.

Then later once again I was trying to avoid a large mudslide, I tugged on the reins as hard as I could, the horse continued into the muddy path and we slid down the mud slide of the path and I could sense the horse losing his footing. The horse was like a big walking sled! Later, the horse was walking directly towards a big branch in the middle of the trail. I tried to get the horse to walk around the branch, but the horse continued walking and tripped on it! Mom was behind me, seeing it all and asked, “Are you ok?” I was fine, just a little frustrated that my horse wouldn’t listen and allow me to guide it on the best path to avoid the tripping, sliding and slight scares of our adventure.

In life God has control over the reins but sometimes we steer off into our own path, just like the horse. What we need to do is just let God take the reins and guide us. He is the rider we are the stubborn horse. We only see what is right in front of us but he sees far ahead. Written by: SIL

Pardon this proud mom, while I sit and cry a little as my big guy is opening his heart to life lessons and seeking God in them! That is one reason we are on this journey. Taking these moments in life and learning from them, while seeking and learning from God in all areas! Remember, we are not perfect people, but we are striving to seek Him intentionally and to live our life with a purpose.

Prayers as you seek to follow His Purpose. There is more to come on this in a follow-up blog post.

When life is spinning, pick your focal point!

~The Lord family