We were trail riding at Peggy's farm last week.  It was my first time to take Kisses (the white medicine hat paint mare) and Legacy (the sorrel paint filly) off the Farm for a trail ride.  It was so beautiful, the weather was perfect, and the friends were good.  Kisses was quite 'looky ' , but she maintained.  Legacy was pretty relaxed most of the time.  ,,,And then we got to the rushing white rapids!  Oh my.  Kisses looked at them and took a big jump...we made it.  Legacy, on the other hand, planted her feet and decided she would not risk her life; no matter what.  I crossed back over those roaring waters with Kisses; this time her jump was more of a hop.  We tried everything to get Legacy to go with us across the white rapids; but not a chance.  My friend Brenda was riding her.  I crossed back over with Kisses severl times.  By this time Kisses had the water crossing down pat...piece of cake.  After about a half hour and all kinds of asking, moving body parts, backing, telling, demanding; Legacy crouched down and then launched across that roaring white rapids!  When she got over she let out the biggest sigh of relief.  The really funny, yet sad, part is that the roaring rapids was only about 8 inches across and was meandering so slow you could hardly see movement.  I kept wondering what Legacy was seeing that scared her so much.  What could cause a 1000 lb. horse to be terrified of an 8 inch babbleing brook?  Why was Kisses, the one who is usually the timid one, able to overcome her initial fear, but Legacy got stuck?  As I pondered the possible answers I realized that Legacy was acting alot like I have.  Kisses and I have built a close Connection.  We have had our raging rapids', and have crossed them together.  We have built trust over time.  I am her safe place because she knows I wouldn't let her get hurt.  She's willing to try because of our intimate relationship.  Legacy is younger, I've spent much less time with her, and she's had much less exposure to new things.  She didn't have anything from the past to pull from, no experience.  When she got over and I was there to tell her she did good, we built a stronger bond and a history of success.  I didn't get mad because she was afraid (frustrated at the 1/2 hour, yes).  Next time, I believe she will draw on our now depening relationship and be more willing to try dangerous and terrifying feats of bravery...like crossing the brook.

I am just like her.  I still have areas that are terrifying to me.  I want to stop, spin around and run away.  My stopping has caused pain and frustration to those around me.  I don't want to be stuck on the trail any longer.  I have to trust my Great Trail Guide to step forward toward the unknown.  I have to quit fighting, bracing, refusing to move, and give in and be lead.  I don't have to know where I'm going.  I do have to know that I trust the Guide.  I have to have more experiences with Him, in new places, so I can become a usable tool in His hands.  I want to live up to my potential so that He gets the Glory!  He is worthy!  I want a pure heart, and I want to be free!  I want this so I can share it with you and help lead others down the Trail of Life!