The Slip

Psalm 94: 18-19 "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. NIV

It was Canada Day once again and my gelding Frank was pulling our cart in the annual parade. I was riding in the cart with my sixteen month old granddaughter while three of my large dogs ran behind. All was going the way it should until we began the descent down the hill. Though the hill is only 2 blocks long it is very steep, although Frank had never had an issue manoeuvring it in the past. This year however something happened. The road was slippery and Frank's back hooves slipped under him. His rump almost hit the pavement but at the last second he recovered his footing. Unfortunately this incident frightening him and he lost his confidence. He set all four feet, refusing to move for fear of tumbling to the ground. With some quick thinking I twitched the rein directing him to go to the left rather than proceed forward. He carefully made the turn and continued to follow my lead as I directed him in a circle to the right side of the roadway where he was able to safely continue to the bottom of the hill.

In the meantime, the dogs, sensing something was wrong had become agitated and Sophie caught her foot in her leash. To free herself she slipped out of her harness and ran to the side of the road. I quickly pulled Frank out of the parade and members of the crowd ran to give me a hand. In minutes we were back on the road again but the rest of the parade had passed by.

Making a decision I gave Frank the command to gallop and began calling, *coming through, coming through* as the crowd had fallen in behind the last float. People heard me calling and the sound of beating hooves and then a clapping, cheering crowd opened up like a pathway between the Red Sea as we hurtled through and drew up behind the last parade entry.

Likewise sometimes our feet come close to slipping out from under us along the steep hills of life. Something untoward happens, almost tossing us to the ground and we become frightened and lose our confidence. We don't know what to do or how to proceed and we simply freeze up. At such times it is good to know that we are not alone. God is still in the driver's seat and all we have to do is trust in His leading. It may not be to continue to move forward right away, but rather to circle around, to go in a new direction where the footing is more secure.

In due time He may once again call us back onto the original track or He may not. The main thing is that He has us safely and confidently moving forward again according to His will and way. A feat that I suspect brings the angels in heaven to their feet clapping and cheering as we surge ahead in victory.

~Prayer:Father God, thank You so much that we can count on You to be in the driver's seat of our life, as we yield ourselves in trust to You. Help each one today who may find themselves slipping to stay calm and follow Your lead, knowing that it is always the best and safest way to proceed. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Lynne Phipps Atlin, B.C.