The Investment of Time.

After my trailer experiences last week I found myself wishing I had spent more time ahead of time  so that when it came to the big day, it would have gone more smoothly. It got me thinking about the INVESTMENT OF TIME. There is a rather popular quote from a favorite horse trainer of mine ...

Take the time it takes so it takes less time.

- Pat Parelli

That is to say, if we invest into our relationship with the horse, the solid foundation we have laid will be there when we need it most. Instead of spending 3 hours trying to load a horse into a trailer while the new owners stand by watching, it takes 2 seconds because we have invested the time required into his training beforehand. 

Time is precious. I find that especially in North American culture today, in a time is money era, what a person does with their time says a lot about their values. Life can get so busy and our relationships can stay so shallow! We rush around trying to get things done, taking shortcuts and brushing past people and most importantly even brushing past our God!

So what happens when a crisis occurs? If we have invested our time well and spent "the time it takes so that it takes less time" (so to speak) then we have a firm foundation on which we can stand.

"They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." Luke 6:48

What does the way we are spending our time say about us? Are we spending time on people? Are we INVESTING time in our relationship with our creator?

Let's ask God for the ability to TAKE TIME with the people we encounter; to really see them. To take time with our horses. To take time with our relationships. To take time, even, with our own issues; to find healing and freedom. So that when a storm arises or a pressing situation occurs we are well prepared because of the time we have invested.


Where are you investing your time? Where would you like to invest more of your time?

When We Run Out of Answers.

What do we do when we run out of answers?

This week I have been trying to get a "hard to load" horse on the trailer to a new home. Hence, I have been thinking more and more about this question. I suppose it really depends on the person, however, I would say that FRUSTRATION is a pretty basic response. Some people get angry, many speak and act out of their frustration, while others just give up and withdraw.

In horse training, our frustration can be extremely detrimental. We stop teaching well and acting well. We end up doing things that we would not normally do and often don't even genuinely believe are helpful; but we are out of tricks, so we just start doing crazy stuff!

When horses stop thinking, they are dangerous! They start acting out of their instinctive fight or flight. The result can be extreme self harm and often great damage to the people around them; despite the humans' efforts and good intentions. It has gotten me thinking ... do we do that? As people? I think maybe we do. I would venture to say that when people stop thinking, we too are dangerous! We run out of answers to life and respond in all kinds of detrimental ways.

One of the best things I have learned when working with horses is, in a frustrating moment, to take a step back and just consider what is going on. It is extremely freeing to be okay with not knowing all the answers. Let's learn to just take a moment. Step back and take a minute to think. Here God can work.

Below is a picture of a horse being loaded poorly, and one of it being done well. In the second photo, the horse is looking to the person for leadership, he is thinking it through and trusting. Oh that I would be that way with God. In those moments where I have run out of life's answers I pray I would look to HIM for my assurance and direction.

 

We can take this in two ways I think. One, let's learn from being a horse trainer, not acting out of our frustration, but stopping and refocusing on our faithful and steadfast God; searching for truth and life. Two, let's learn from the horse, noting the people we hurt around us when we stop thinking and start flailing.

How do you respond when you run out of answers?

The Choice to Follow.

Have you ever had a horse follow you because it WANTS to? You know, that dream of having no ropes attached while you and the horse walk together through a field at sunset; knowing the horse has the option of heading off but it is choosing to be with you! It is one the best feelings! 

Offering freedom to the horse is risky though. It takes courage and selflessness and a strong conviction that the relationship is worth it, after all, he might say "No"! In the horse industry this can equal up to a lot of embarrassment for humans that are willing to take the risk. However, if you are confident in what you are looking for out of this relationship, then you are willing to offer the freedom of choice.

"Free Will" is a subject of great controversy and something I have often tried hard to grasp. Why would God allow us to choose to follow Him?! But oh goodness gracious when I was able to see, through building a relationship with a horse, the difference that trust and freedom of choice creates and the depth it brings to your partnership - what amazing things can be accomplished!

I have found that  people don't often give the horse a choice. As humans, we try to manage and control things; adding bigger bits and a ridiculous assortment of straps and chains to keep the horse from acting out. I'll always remember a trailride I lead with a very sensitive mare. The man riding was declaring his love of the "spirit of this horse"; he felt awesome about the ride he'd had! He exalted himself because he felt he was able to control this horse and harness all the power that he felt beneath him. If you looked at the horse you could see plain fear, she was drenched in sweat and not thinking clearly. Sadly, I do not think she had quite the same experience as her rider. The rider in this scenario was thinking of himself and his own ego. Wouldn't we rather have a calm and happy horse? One with the capacity to be crazy and exercise it's power, but chooses to submit to us because we are worthy leaders. A relationship  instead of a ride?

Offering the freedom of choice to the horse is acting out of the best interest of the horse, not ourselves. Here-in lies the secret! God offers us the choice to follow him out of the best interest of humanity. He knows the depth of relationship it brings and the greatness that can be accomplished through a freely surrendered life. Life is full of choices! Are we choosing to follow him in everything? Once you have this picture in your head of a leader that has allowed us freedom because He cares so greatly for us, the greatest fields and fence-less pastures will fade in comparison to the relationship he offers!

Thank you to Parelli Natural Horsemanship for providing the tools that allowed me to offer horses "the choice to follow".