THE LION

It is a dream.

I am walking outside along an open dirt road, night is nearing and I know I must reach my destination. To my left something catches my eye, its form at first dark and obscure. I turn and focus my attention to make out the bear - a bulky, brown bear moving listlessly along the horizon.

Without warning the wolf approaches and attacks, I am watching the scene from a distance. The wolf lunges at the bear’s back, on hind legs stretching taller than its prey. My mind wonders how the wolf is so easily winning, how the wolf is so large.

With no awareness I have stopped to watch the attack, my body halted and turning to the left in full attention. This cannot be safe, I realize, and will my feet to move forward. 

It is then that I see another wolf approach.

This one comes from my right, tracing a course in front of my steps. His attention is on the bear and I wonder if he will continue on to join the attack. But then he stops. Turns. Directly in my path. His eyes are fixed intently on me, his body tenses and dips. I know I will not survive this attack.

I breathe shallow breaths in sleep and pull back from the dream, willing myself away from the wolf, away from imminent defeat. And then I see what I had missed before.

To my right stands a lion, my gaze had not yet turned to see him. He is massive, rich in color, huge and fiercely strong. He stands just beyond the backward reach of my right arm and his deep eyes are not looking at me, his piecing gaze is intently on the wolf.

It is then I know - the wolf does not stand a chance. He can stare at me all he wants, but with one engagement of a muscle in my direction the lion will win the attack. I am threatened, but I am safe. I see the fear, but I am strong.

I have found the lion.

We all need to find our lion.

I keep a picture of a lion as an optional home screen for my phone. His gaze is indeed piercing, no one dare to cross his path. And when the wolves of life appear, when they stand in my path and turn their intentions toward me, I remember the lion.

I remember that strength lies within. I remember that I am made to do hard things. I remember that I am strong.

The fears are real - concerns, challenges, setbacks. This life we walk through is not an easy one and when the wolves appear our mind speaks a convincing lie, I will not survive this attack.

Strength is within, but sometimes we have to remind ourselves of the lion.

I feel threatened, but I am safe.

I see fear, but there is power in me. 

If you were close enough in my life to see my lion on a light-up of my phone, you would know that I am in the midst of navigating concerns or fears, perhaps questions about what is to come. Circumstances have broken into my path and my mind is verging on a free-fall spin into all the possible ‘what if’s.’ Until I remind myself of the lion.

There is power in me, fear has not claimed a victory, I will breathe deep and remember exactly who I am. Courageous, brave, meant to face hard things. The wolf may stare me down, but he will not hold me in fear of the attack, my gaze will instead turn to the lion.

So find your lion.

There is power in you, fear has not claimed a victory, you will breathe deep and remember exactly who you are. Courageous, brave, meant to face hard things. The wolf may stare you down, but he will not hold you in fear of the attack.

You were made for this life, hard parts and all. Strength is written across your heart and you will stand tall.

Superwoman never forgets her lion.