A girl and her horse.
A child and their heavenly Father.
What causes a disconnect... the void... the gap between?
Like many things in life, connection, communication, and relationship are often lost somewhere between two extremes: lawlessness and legalism.
Let's explore this concept with our horses first.
On one end, lawlessness can look like believing we should ask nothing of our horses. That there is no kind, compassionate, or dignified way to ride, train, or engage with them.
Some believe the only way to be with horses is to simply sit in their presence or observe from afar; never creating structure, never establishing boundaries.
But horses living in a domestic environment without boundaries creates disorder. And disorder, at its core, aligns with lawlessness.
On the other end is legalism.
This looks like an endless array of systems, methods, techniques, and training strategies designed to control, manage, and manipulate a horse’s behavior.
And the truth is… we are surrounded by both.
Lawlessness is everywhere, and so is legalism.
In daily life, lawlessness can look like overindulging… overeating, overdrinking, overspending, neglecting self-care, lacking rest, living without rhythm or intention.
Legalism, on the other hand, is rigid. Heavy. Never enough.
Where lawlessness lacks boundaries, legalism builds walls: rules, expectations, and standards that keep climbing higher, yet are never fully met.
Simply put, it becomes striving.
Works of the flesh.
And if I’m honest… that’s the one I wrestle with.
Wanting to do all the “right” things.
Believing I just need to work harder, do more, be more, achieve more.
It’s a constant place of surrender for me.
A place I continually have to release in prayer.
Because what sits between these two extremes is something entirely different.
Salvation.
Not a pass into lawlessness.
Not the weight of legalism.
But an invitation into relationship.
For God so loved the world...
An invitation to know Jesus.
To know the heart of your Heavenly Father.
And when you really look at it…
What is the “magic” between a girl and her horse?
It’s not control.
It’s not avoidance.
It’s connection.
It’s bond.
It’s relationship.
So the question becomes…
Do you know your horse?
Do you know Jesus?
Do you know the heart of your Heavenly Father?
Or do you simply know about them?
Because most fear, frustration, defensiveness, or uncertainty, whether it’s toward God or toward your horse, often comes from not truly knowing them at a relationship level.
Knowledge - Understanding - Wisdom
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the clouds drip with dew.” Proverbs 3:19–20
To experience true connection, whether with your horse, with God, or even within yourself, there must be trust. And trust is built through knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. If we want those things, we have to seek them.
We have to ask.
And God promises… He will provide.
But we must first be willing to pursue.
So begin with the places that feel uncomfortable.
Where you feel afraid, unsure, or frustrated... Lean in.
Ask questions. Pray. Read the Word. Listen. Listen to God. Listen to your horse. Listen to what’s stirring inside of you.
Because when you are seeking God, your intuition is no longer just your own; it becomes guided.
I’ve always been a learner. I love to study, research, and understand. But there was a time I realized… I had been seeking knowledge about horses without bringing it back to God. I was learning about them… without asking the One who created them. And that realization changed everything.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6
There was a season where my confidence in horsemanship completely unraveled. Fear crept in. Doubt took over. And the very place I had always felt strong… felt uncertain. But when I finally surrendered that area back to God, He began revealing what I couldn’t see before. About my horses. About myself. About what was actually happening beneath the surface.
Whatever is weighing on you right now… Bring it to Him. All of it. The worries. The stress. The uncertainty.
Yes, even the things involving your horse. They matter to Him because they matter to you. He cares for you deeply. And He is ready to guide you.
“Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
My prayer for you is this:
That you would seek wisdom. That you would grow in understanding.
That you would pursue true knowledge of God, of yourself, and of your horse.
Because from that place…
Trust is built.
Connection deepens.
Relationship is restored.
And you return, once again, to the simplicity of…
A girl and her horse.
A child and their Heavenly Father.