You Can Learn A Lot From A Dog Leash! … Hello weekend readers. Like us, many people have dogs and cats, etc. Our black Labra-Dane, Moose, is the love of our lives but he is also a pain where you sit! Because of the Great Dane in him, he is stubborn, Danes are herding dogs so he herds us, and Dane’s have the loudest of all barks. Even though Moose looks more like a Labrador, when he opens his mouth, he is a Dane-it is LOUD!

Thus, the musings on what is so important that we can learn from a dog leash? Here goes…it’s kind of silly but you’ll find out that often we need a leash too!

Our veterinarian tells people who have just got a dog what a dog means and what you need to learn to enjoy that dog… To my humans: Remember that: I’m in charge and I have the schedule. I also will stray off the path because I need to get that critter, so you’ll have to be ready to tell me to leave it. Of course I don’t always listen! I love to run and I hate the leash, but I know I could get into a lot of bad things that would hurt me. You’ll have to help me learn at your pace.

So, what “rabbit trails” pull us off the path? Do we hang on to things that we should leave behind? How often do we rush ahead of God and find ourselves needing a leash? We are connected with the Holy Spirit. She is our leash…and some lessons of the leash apply to us.

We know that God directs us and where we should go; yet we like to be in charge to do our own ‘thing’. How many of us get easily distracted? I love photography, especially up in the mountains. Thankfully Al shouts out, “I think you are too close to the edge” and he is right. Perhaps I should tell him to have a leash for me? Social media and gossip are two other things that distract us. We can dive into that stuff and come out the other side knowing that so much of social media, etc., is just flooding lies into our minds.

The Holy Spirit is our best reminder of staying on course. She is our ‘Mothering side of God” and like our mothers, she uses her ‘leash’ to keep us from straying away from things that will hurt us. She says “Leave it my child, let go of your old habits, projects that frustrate you and so much more.” Her words are the cue for us to go forward on the right path with God.

If you are one of those who like to go “full speed ahead” (I’m one of those) how is your outcome? Psychologists will tell you that ‘full-speed-ahead’ usually ends up with nothing that is helpful. In fact, that ‘full-speed-ahead’ in your life will incur more obstacles and speed bumps that pull you down instead of lifting you up. Like our dog, that’s exactly what happens and we’re glad we have a good leash!

King David’s petition in Psalm 25:4-5, which was likely written during the many times he was in trouble, are just like our troubles and blunders. David finally stopped his ‘full-speed-ahead’ life and he wrote this for himself and for us: “Lord, direct me throughout my journey so I can experience your plans for my life. Reveal the life-paths that are pleasing to you. Escort me along the way; take me by the hand and teach me. For you are the God of my increasing salvation; I have wrapped my heart into yours!” [The Passion Translation]

In closing, rely on the power of the Holy Spirit when struggles come your way. Let yourself be her ‘leash’ for you as she directs your steps as you walk with God. AMEN.