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The Brave Life

She is sure she loves horses - the sweet middle child so often overlooked in her quiet comings and goings and unwillingness to rock the boat. And so the forward from a friend caught my eye - a rodeo camp {FREE} - all experiences (or lack thereof) welcome. 




Those blue eyes lit up, of course, and her courage to face this exciting but foreign experience surprised me. Then we got to the selection process - choosing her activities: goat tying - "maybe," team roping - "ok," break-away roping - "what's that?" (mom's wisdom: "no clue!"), steer riding - "Mom, I want to live!" And no amount of teasing, arguing, or cajoling by the younger brother ("Why else would you go to a rodeo camp?!") could convince her to check that box as even her third possibility. And really, I agreed with her - the new was exciting, but no need to venture into truly unknown and scary territory!


As I recounted the story to a friend, however, I realized how much the event mirrored my own life. I like to think I am willing to try new things - a new recipe, a new home group, a new playlist on Spotify, even a new coat of paint on the walls - I'm adventurous, I tell myself! But then there's the scary new - the ridiculous, really! The turquoise table project (#turquoisetable #frontyardpeople), giving up social media to shrink my community (I want to live, after all!), contenting myself (wholly and completely) with being "just" a mom, trusting these teens with adult decisions (I want them to live, after all!). 


Perhaps I will encourage my blue-eyed girl to trust the ones in charge and at least observe the steer-riding for a possibility next time. And as for me, I will choose to trust the One leading my life and brave the tasks He is laying before me to do. 


 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6





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