{patience}

Give-and-take. That delicate balance of the inside rein as Chance and I circle, him bracing and me stiffly begging him to respond to my leg and bend to the inside as I steady my outside rein and utilize my outside leg to keep him on the circle.

Ouch.

My shoulder starts to tire, and he's showing no signs of softening and creating the desired circle of energy instead of a strung-out motorcycle. Out of things to try, I bring him back to the walk and try the transition again. He engages his hindquarters and pushes into his powerful trot as I immediately resume our 'conversation' about coming on the bit. Relaxing a little, I request before demanding and make it easy for him to do what I ask.


Finally.


He begins to work over his back, softening his neck and bending as we circle once again. His trot becomes rhythmic, steady, wonderful. 

Patience.

That lovely two-syllable word that makes me cringe and want to hide behind The Invisible Wall {apologies, 'twas an irresistible inside joke}.

In all seriousness, however, it's not something that comes easy to most people.

I asked God to grant me patience. He said, "No, patience is a byproduct of tribulations - it isn't granted, it is learned."

 Learned.

True that.

Learned after hours of struggling.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. {James 1:4}

Perfect...entire...wanting nothing. The key? Letting patience. Relaxing. Obeying. Doing what needs to be done right at that very moment, and not being tense about what could happen tomorrow. Being content with where we are, with the job we're given. Enjoying life serving my Savior.

{via}