Training Them to Lead

This happened a few weeks ago. It took me a while to process the whirlwind of emotions.

It was the most remarkable evening.

The day had been difficult, filled with lots of lashing out by a certain little 6 year old. Kicking. Throwing things. Yelling ‘no’ at everyone. All the things that make a parent cringe, cry, want to hide in a cave until the tantrums are over. One of those times where everyone in the universe looks at you kind of funny because, well, you’ve lost control of everything.

I had gotten so tired from correcting those behaviors that I decided to hug her instead. She still protested when I did that. Have you ever had an ‘I can’t win!’ day as a parent?

And then this happened:

“Mommy, I’m going to lead the lambs in all by myself.”

So she did. She walked over to our two little sheep and called in a quiet and gentle voice: “Leah, Rachel, come on girls.”

They followed her through the fence all the way into their sheep pen. She closed the sheep pen, turned around, and walked quietly back into the house.

Meanwhile, I stood, mouth agape, eyes wide open, in utter disbelief of what I’d just witnessed.

“Did I do a good job?” she asked as she passed me.

I nodded, so glad to have witnessed this turn around.

Sometimes it seems like all the efforts are in vain, but when the goal is training them to lead, they will do just that. Sometimes when you least expect it.

And now our little lambs follow her everywhere as she works on the farm.

I think she’ll be a CEO one day. In the meantime, I’ll just watch and learn.

Rachel the lamb begins to follow her.

My sweet daughter is totally oblivious to Rachel.

Then she gets the idea that someone might be following.

As a leader, her stride becomes bolder.

Rachel never stops following the confident leader.

My daughter explains to the lamb what she intends to do, which is to get water for the chickens.

And surely you can’t lead the lambs without preaching a little bit, right?

Sometimes it’s the little things that are the most remarkable.