Relationship: The Essence of it all! (Part 2)

Every solid, healthy relationship is based on trust and respect, which are two very different things. One without the other is not a true relationship. We can spend time with the horses, petting them, brushing them, giving them treats, loving on them, and they’ll like and trust us. It feels good to them and to us. It’s easy for them and for us.

But what happens when we don’t have treats? Do they stick around, or is it really just the treats that they like?

And what happens when we need that 1200lb animal to do something, to move, to listen to us?

Just because they trust us does not mean they respect us. And if a 1200lb animal doesn’t respect us? That’s when we get hurt.

Without respect, the horse will balk at the idea of having to ‘work’ (ie- move its feet, exert any energy, do anything lol!), because they become entitled, thinking it’s all about them and their pleasure and comfort… and to them, based on what we’ve shown them, our role, the reason we exist, is simply to love on them and give them treats. Parents, what happens if you treat your child this way? You create a monster! Can you imagine what happens when we treat a 1200lb animal this way?

But you and I would never think it’s all about us, would we? Lol!

Even, and sometimes especially, with God, we can be tempted to only seek out His blessings, what He can do for us, all the feel–good stuff like His love, grace, forgiveness, provision. We love and trust that He’s our Savior! That’s easy and feels good! But what about respecting Him as our Lord?

What happens when God wants something from us? When He wants us to do something for Him?

We too can cop an attitude because we like to think it’s all about us and that God exists simply to cater to us for our pleasure and comfort. We can start to treat God like He’s our own personal magic genie, there to grant our every wish, and we balk and stomp our feet when we don’t get our way! We approach Him with our “shopping list”, trusting He is good, and then we leave the conversation and “relationship”. Trusting God, if we like the answer we get, but not respecting Him.

Neither of these scenarios is a healthy, whole relationship. Respect requires genuine care and effort – to earn it from others and to show it to others, including God. But without that deeper level of relationship, we leave everybody – horses, God, ourselves, others – ‘wanting’.

Let’s recognize and embrace the fact that the effort to build trust AND respect is worth it! Let’s not miss out on the beauty and richness that God invites us into through genuine relationships, with a horse, with each other, and ultimately with Himself!