It’s On a Leash
By Lisa Boyer
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13
One morning, I took my Alaskan Malamute, Kaela, for a walk on the land behind our house. A fresh blanket of snow covered the ground and Kaela was enjoying herself immensely. Suddenly Kaela pounced onto a patch of undisturbed snow and began digging around with her nose. Before long, the little field mouse she had smelled became visible. Kaela pushed the mouse around with her nose a few times, then to our absolute amazement, that little mouse stood up on its hind legs and swung at Kaela’s nose with its tiny little paw! Kaela and I just stared in wide-eyed disbelief as the three-inch mouse stood there staring back at Kaela. Fortunately for that little mouse, Kaela was on a leash; all I had to do was yank her away and allow the mouse to escape.
I’ve often wondered what would make a three-inch mouse stand up to a 100-pound dog, but there’s no logical explanation. What I have realized is that we humans often do the same. Most obviously, it’s when we are fighting a life-threatening disease like cancer, but those battling addiction and depression can also feel as though they are a three-inch mouse fighting a 100-pound dog. Those who’ve lost a loved one may feel that same battle. Some people can be in the midst of that battle and you’d never even know it; they paste beautiful smiles on their faces and go about their days, in spite of unimaginable sorrow… like when a loved one has made a choice that has absolutely devastated their heart.
Whatever the circumstance that lands us there, the fight can wear us pretty thin. Most often, people try to comfort us by reminding us that God will never give us more than we can handle. I have to admit, hearing that can make me feel as though God is the one who has caused all the problems and all the resulting pain.
Next time I meet up with someone who feels like a three-inch mouse being pushed around in the snow by a 100-pound dog, I’m going to reassure them, “Regardless of your circumstances, God IS in control, He has those circumstances on a leash, and He is ready to yank them out of your life at just the right time, in just the right way.”
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have the circumstances of life made your heart heavy? Today, will you find comfort in knowing God is in control?
2. Is there a friend with whom you can share these truths and this word picture today?
FURTHER READING:
Lisa has been married to Ted for 19 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.
