Led by a Lead

The first definition of Lead/Led/Leader in Dictionary.com verb definition says, "to go before or with to show the way; conduct or escort" and "to conduct by holding and guiding" and "to afford passage to a place."

My nearly year old puppy, Gem, loves to have her halter placed over her head and she allows me to attach the lead securely to the halter. She loves it because it usually means: "WALK!", a very exciting and joyful event that takes place regularly in this dog's life. Since her accident of her running into a car in the road, this has not taken place as often as before and we are slowly walking longer distances now that her leg has almost healed. She walks happily down the road, even with improved "heel" skills and not pulling all the time on the lead. That is, until we walk past a open fence with another barking dog. She then turns instantly into a very strong, lead-ripping, snarling beast. She demonstrates all instincts to attempt to attack and bite. Even having her halter lead and her training lead attached, I find it difficult to steer her away from the fence and get her focused on the road again. She is considered in layman terms as a "reactive dog". Trainers and dog experts will give a whole bunch of reasons and ways to remedy the situation but the crux of each advice is that the dog is scared. She is prepared to face her own fear, bears teeth, growls and raised hair, all to try display bravery that she doesn't feel. I, as the leader of her pack, knows that walking past and not reacting is the best solution to the problem at that moment. Focusing on me as her trainer and not responding to outside threats, trusting me is the best way forward and the safest for her to get away without pain or hurt. She doesn't know that yet but hopeful our continued training will eventually be a stronger pull.

How much does that sound like how we react to things we fear. We are faced with vicious words, name calling, abusive language, intimidation and harsh behaviour that fills us with the reaction to raise our hair, growl and bite. We might be better off running away but we flex our verbal muscles and bare our emotional teeth.

Every day people, events and situations produce negative emotions that make me want to be a reactive person. Things that prick my anxiety, making me into a snappy, irritable mess. Dealing with customers; suppliers; traffic; Joburg drivers; load-shedding and political mayhem. It is so easy to respond immediately with frustration instead of taking a breath and saying a prayer of heavenly guidance.

Yet our Leader of our Pack knows a better way. God, our defender, know the safest route and by trusting Him to lead us safely away from danger. Keeping our eyes on our Trainer, turning our head away from the threat and moving in step with our Master.

Ann Voskamp in her new book "Waymaker" uses an acronym, SACRED, to remind us how to connect with God in these moments of panicked reaction. The R standing for Revelation from God. Praying each day for a revelation from God will open your eyes to His way and help you to be lead wisely along the right road. This was my revelation this morning:

"Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and make your righteous reward shine like the dawn...Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways." Psalms 37:3-7

A verse sent by my husband allowed my master to carefully take the lead and direct me again away from self destructive behaviour and reminding me to keep my eyes on the One who makes a way, the right way. To be joyful in the land I live; trusting he will keep my family and I, safe. Knowing that he has a purpose and plan for us in the way we go and not to worry about the mayhem around us but to be still and pray again tomorrow for a new revelation of that day.