It is our last class of this six week session. I look forward to our time with Cecily today, just as I do each week. Each student is special. Each child is uniquely created by God with giftings and strengths I admire. I see his handiwork all over these children as we interact. Cecily is no different. She is giggly and sweet. She is honest in class and a pleasure to be with. I can’t imagine her fits of rage that involve the police. But, I don’t need to understand that. I just prepare the arena and my heart for Cecily and her session today.
Dean and I set up the lesson we call, “Temptation Alley”. We create a large, arced path with pvc pipes and prepare the temptations. Temptations are a big bowl of hay and a couple smaller bowls of grain placed strategically inside the path. All of these temptations our paint horse, Soldier, loves. He’s a real foodie and a first pick often for this lesson.
Cecily arrives happy as always and up for the challenge. Before we go down to the arena, I ask Cecily to name some real world temptations for her.
“What are some temptations that keep you from doing the right thing?” She has some tough ones: drugs, bad friends, anger. We write these temptations down on separate index cards.
Then off we go, down to the arena to label Soldier’s temptations with her own named ones. We tape each of her cards on one of Soldier’s bowls of temptations.
I explain the activity to her. “You need to lead Soldier through the course and keep him out of the temptations.” Cecily struggles working to keep Soldier away from all these delicious treats.
And isn’t that just like life? Temptations look so enticing, so easy and readily available…. so much better than the work of completing the course or hard task before us.
“I can’t do this by myself,” Cecily finally declares.
No, sweet Cecily, and you weren’t meant to, I think.
“What do you need?”
Cecily asks for my help. “Yes, I will help you. What do you want me to do?”
Cecily gives me some instructions as to how to best help her. I comply by attaching another lead rope to the opposite side of Soldier’s halter, and together we start down the path. She offers instructions to me as we make our way. Together we help each other to pull Soldier’s head away from the temptations he loves so much.
She is so excited and happy to complete the exercise, but the real work is only just beginning.
“What real world resources do you have to help you navigate your way away from your temptations?” Cecily was able to name several resources: a teacher, a probation officer, an aunt.
“And, Cecily, who is always available when those people aren’t?”
Cecily knows the answer… God. We talk about how God is always available and always a resource for us. Then Cecily offers what has become a new little motto for me, “Sometimes I just need to ‘Soldier Up’.” She explains that that means we need help; we need resources to get down the path and that we also need to use the inner strength God has given us to rise up and tackle our challenges. We need to Soldier Up!
Lately, echoing now in my mind, as I face my own challenges, are Cecily’s words. I turn my eyes to Christ, ask for his help, and ask him to help Cecily and me to remember to “Soldier Up" today.
-Heather Lawson,
Program Director
*names and pictures were changed for anonymity