Have you ever had a person in your life that you felt like you were always pulling along?
You desperately want her to walk beside you, but instead it is like you have her heart on a leash. As you walk onward you pull as hard as you can for her to just catch up. She gets closer – just enough for the leash to have some slack in it. Maybe, just maybe, this time she’ll make it. But as soon as you enjoy the rest from not having to pull so hard, she slows down again. Now you’re struggling just to get her to crawl.
There are several people who I feel the pull of their hearts. It seems that for every one step forward, there are two steps back. My first response after exhaustive tugging is to just give up.
“We’ll never be on the same page!”
“She’ll never catch up!”
“It is hopeless!”
I convince myself that it is impossible.
What I have come to learn is that as I work and struggle for her to catch up to me, I should desire for her to catch up to Jesus. The focus should not be for her to walk in my ways, in my path, in my truth, but to walk in Jesus’. The moment I take my focus off of the power of the Holy Spirit, I begin to believe the lie that it is my power, my effort that will save her.
Only the Holy Spirit saves people.
This is Satan’s marvelous scheme to get me to focus on myself, so that I stop praying, so that I stop looking to God to provide, and so that I am defeated and ultimately one more heart continues on a leash.
So what do I do when I feel the temptation to pull on the leash harder? I let go in prayer.
What do I do when the leash gets some slack in it? I let go in prayer.
What do I do when we are back to a crawl? I let go in prayer.
God, I do not save people. You, through the power of the Holy Spirit, save people and provide for all of their needs. Please remind me of this. I know that You love this person more than I could ever fathom. I know that Your greatest desire is for her to live the abundant life through You. Use me however You wish, but please remind me that You are in control and Your ways are always right. Help me to let go of the leash and give it to You.
Amen.
By Brenda, Triple Braided
Leave a Comment
Holley Gerth says
Yes and yes. So glad we can let go!!
Caryn Poling says
Brenda, I love this post…Printing and putting in my Bible. Because, boy do I need this reminder on occasion.
Caryn
Jadyn says
I needed that reminder today. I just prayed the prayer you wrote out for someone in my life and it felt like a release. I know I’ll have to keep praying in that way. Thank you for sharing this!
Brenda Rodgers says
Your encouragement means so much to me! Thank you!!
Christy says
great analogy Brenda!
Guest Posting on (In)Courage Today!! says
[…] on a leash, begging them to just catch up? I am so excited to be guest posting today over at (In)Courage where I share my thoughts on my recent struggle with A Heart on a Leash! Welcome to Triple […]