Remember Your Pack

Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds.

WITH HER HEAD HIGH and tail swaying, Penny, a two-year-old Golden retriever, appeared quite pleased with herself as she led the way home. After twenty minutes of jockeying for position with the dogs in her neighborhood walking group, Penny had finally taken the lead—courtesy of an intoxicating aroma at the base of a mailbox, which the other four dogs could not resist. Taking advantage of their distraction, Penny sprinted forward, pulling her owner, Tracy, with her.

“Penny, slow down,” Tracy said laughingly, gripping the leash with both hands and running to keep up.

But Penny would not relent. She was determination on four paws.

The rest of the group chuckled as Penny dragged Tracy farther and farther ahead of the group.

Penny didn’t turn back. She didn’t stop. She was on a mission to stay in the lead. And she did.

Not once did she pause to smell the grass, pick up a stick, or mark where she had been. While the other dogs played among themselves, and their humans enjoyed the first cool front of the year, Penny kept her gaze straight ahead.

Eventually, whether from fatigue or an abundance of confidence, Penny slowed her pace. Tracy took the opportunity to catch her breath and snap a photo of her dog, who was now walking with a distinct swagger.

Tracy knew the photo would be a hit on social media. She typed up a quick caption and hit share.

But her joy was short-lived. While Penny stopped to sniff a patch of weeds, Tracy quickly scrolled through the posts on her phone. As she read all the things that others had proudly posted and shared, she was overcome with feelings of failure.

Why can’t I plan a week’s worth of menus for my family?

When was the last time I went to the gym?

How does everyone else seem to have it all together?

Then, as if a mental avalanche had been triggered, every item on her ever-expanding to-do list came rushing into her consciousness—a work deadline, costumes to pick up for her kids, a plethora of unread emails in her in-box.

“Ugh, why did I come out today?” Tracy lamented. “I am going to be so far behind.”

As Tracy contemplated abandoning the group and running home to try to salvage the rest of her day, she was pulled out of her thoughts when Penny abruptly wheeled around. She braced her front legs against the asphalt and raised her ears in surprise. Penny seemed genuinely shocked to find the others there.

In her determination to get ahead, she had forgotten about those behind.

Melinda, one of the neighbors walking that day, noticed Penny’s reaction.

“Penny, when you are leading, you can’t forget about your pack,” she gently chided the dog.

Melinda’s words were meant to tease Penny, but they felt like a lifeline to Tracy. A way to escape the avalanche of to-dos. An anchor in the flood of her feelings of inadequacy.

Tracy did have things to do, but nothing needed to be completed that very moment. Right now, she was part of a pack—a pack committed to encouraging and supporting one another.

Tracy tugged on Penny’s leash to get her to take a few steps back. It was all the encouragement the gregarious dog needed to reunite with her friends.

As Penny and her best friend, Layla, leapt toward each other like two polar bears hugging, Tracy tucked her phone into her pocket.

“So, Melinda,” she asked the woman walking next to her, whose sister was facing a cancer scare. “How’s your sister? And how are you holding up?”

It felt so good to focus on her pack.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

Who is your pack? Are you walking with them? Or charging ahead? In what areas of your life might you need to slow down and remember those who want to walk with you? What is one thing you can do today to remind yourself to slow down and to care for those you are fighting so hard to lead?

Paws & Pray

Father, it is easy to forget about those around me—even when those around me are family and friends. Would you help me to lead from a place of compassion and rest? Help me to know when to push hard and when to fall back. And as you call me to lead, help me remember and care for those who follow.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?