I’m an obedience school dropout. I know, we probably should have stuck it out, but our 6-month-old dachshund, affectionately named Dipstick, just wasn’t ready.

Her enthusiasm was never the issue. She couldn’t wait to scramble through the parking lot to get to class. The problem was with cooperation. The instructor told us that the first thing that we needed to establish was leadership with our pet. Weekly classes involved activities establishing our role as the "Alpha."

It’s not as easy as it sounds. Instead of quietly submitting to me as I held her in my arms, she squirmed and knocked chairs down. When others would sit and wait for a treat near their nose, my four-legged friend would dig in my pocket for more. Occasionally, she would forget that she wanted to be a puppy and would actually sit or stay. Most of the time, however, it was a wrestling match. I’m sure that we were a sight to behold: Me, a grown forty-something woman with a foot in a cast and her, a fourteen pound furry tail-wagging wonder.

I promise. We really did do our homework. We practiced. I rewarded appropriate behavior. But, she simply didn’t want to submit to anyone yet.

Then, it dawned on me. Sometimes, no matter how much we lead someone, they will not trust in God until they are ready. I found true peace when I realized that God is my Alpha. I can completely trust in him to lead me, teach me and supply all of my needs. Following his will does not diminish my identity, it reveals who I am.

Unlike my pooch, I will choose to lie in his arms and follow his voice.