“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Mark 9:23 NIV
Our family has learned so many lessons about the awesome love of God since we moved to this old farm. The LORD has literally filled it's acres with blessings for us - each deserving to be a praiseworthy tale in its' own right but this miracle is one of the most precious to me. The world said it was impossible. I almost believed them. But they were wrong!
When we moved to the farm, just over a year ago, our pasture was home to three beautiful, strong, forgotten, wild horses. The man that owned them had become desperately ill several years earlier and was unable to care for them. Though he loved them, he was unable to visit them and apart from the occasional treats from the man's father, for at least five years, they were largely left to roam without human interaction.
Both my daughter and I have always had a great love for horses. Though we had never had any, and in fact had very limited contact with horses, we both had an incredible desire - longing really - to have horses of our own. We want to ride.
As seems to be the LORD's practice with everything about this farm, He is providing the most precious gifts from seemingly out of nowhere. When we purchased this farm, we purposed to be and stay debt free. There was no money to purchase horses but the LORD has repeatedly honored our simple steps of obedience... the sink I dreamed of for less than half price... more kitchen cupboards than I ever could have dreamed of for - even the exact color and finish - found in a truckload sale! God has blessed us mightily! It just so happens that He has been preparing the way for Taylor and I to have these horses for nearly ten years. Ten years ago, I met a wonderful woman who quickly became a dear friend. Though we had no thoughts of moving to a farm back then and having horses were just a pipe dream, her brother's horses were soon to go on the land that God was preparing for us. God is always at work and is the Orchestrator of big and small!
So, this year, the three horses named Angel, Sunshine and Sarah, were signed over to us. They are ours! They have never been broke to ride. Angel is approximately 14 years old as I write this. Her two daughters, Sunshine and Sarah, are approximately 7 and 8. All of them have had halters placed on them in the past but that was years ago. When we started to woo them, they were hesitant to let you close enough to even give them a treat, but we instantly loved them!
Taylor had asked me, "Mom, do you think we will ever be able to ride them?" I hoped so but I thought not. We knew nothing about breaking horses and these horses were so far from breaking. We looked into having them broke but the costs were great and no one thought it would be successful anyways. You just don't break old, wild horses. So, Taylor and I began to pray. As we got close enough to feed the horses, we would pray, "LORD, could we ride them?" Every time we would stroke them, we would pray, "LORD, please could we ride them?" Finally, we contacted a man who said he would come and take a look at them. He couldn't make it out for at least three weeks so he told us to get them into a corral and start working with them to get halters on. If we could get a lead rope on them so that they would be easier to handle when he made it out, that was the desired progress.
Well, it was hard work trying to wrangle them into one of the corrals. No one told them what to do. It took three of us to direct the three of them. We dangled treats and ran to shut gates but managed to get them where we could visit them daily and where they were dependant on us for food. It was hard work. Just getting them into the corral had them so upset with us that that was the only accomplishment for day one. We decided to focus our attention on Angel. Though she was the oldest, she had at one time been leadable if you held a food bucket. Day two, Angel was frantic at the sight of a rope. The big success was for her to come close enough to sniff it and to brush her with the rope dangling from the brushing hand. I'll spare you the little details but it was a triumph to get a halter on her. It took a strong hand on the rope around her neck and a fearless man to hold on to her long enough to get the halter fastened. Each day she became a little less reluctant to have the halter on and she let us lead her for growing loops around the corral. We were excited!
On the tenth day of being in the corral, Taylor and I went out early to visit Angel. We came with her halter, the lead rope and treats. As I went about something in the far side of the corral, I turned to see Angel standing perfectly still as Taylor reached up and fastened the halter in place. I was pretty blown away! That was progress! Taylor proceeded to lead Angel around the corral and Angel seemed perfectly willing to follow. Taylor had just given her some treats when she asked me if she could just try putting a little weight on Angel's back. Now, Taylor had draped her arms over Angel's back while being brushed but never had she put any real body weight on her. I was hesitant but we took her over to the fence and I told Taylor that I would try and keep hold of Angel but that she would have to keep a good foothold and armhold on the fence for when Angel darted out from underneath her. The horse stood still!
"Mom, could I try putting all of my weight on her?" My mind raced. What were we doing? I examined the ground for rocks - certain that Taylor would fall to the ground but she was determined and Angel was motionless. Though I don't remember silently praying, I'm sure that I did. This sort of thing caused a mother's fear to rise. "Go carefully." I said. Slowly, quietly, Taylor draped herself over Angel's back. Angel didn't move even to look back and see what was happening. Dumbfounded, I hear Taylor ask if she can swing a leg over. I don't even remember answering. I watched as Angel didn't flinch for Taylor as she straddled her and sat upright on her back! What did we do now?
I have to confess that I struggled to believe it all. I even phoned my friend to just make sure that Angel had never had anyone on her back before. No. Angel had been halter broke and led around when she was about three years old. Never had she held a rider. God is awesome!
And the miracle goes on! In the two weeks since Taylor first sat atop Angel, we have added reigns to her halter - sparing her a bit - and she is learning to follow the direction of the reigns and the pressure of a rider's knees. Angel has become familiar with the scent of a blanket and saddle. Even these were heavenly provision! My dad, who has been in heaven for seven years - this weekend - had saved his tack for me. I wonder if he knew that some day, the LORD would provide... Less than 48 hours ago, we cautiously placed the saddle on Angel's back. She didn't flinch. First try. She patiently stood as we figured out how to fasten it. It was like she was the veteran who had done this a million times before. I am convinced she hears the silent voice of the LORD telling her to "Stand firm. You are alright."
Where do we go from here? Only God knows but I can tell you this, I know Angel will be ridden - free from lead ropes with rider in stirrups! God answers prayer! He heard the prayers of His girls and He answered. His answers rarely come in the package that we would think. God didn't use a horse man. I found out that he was only planning on driving out to our farm to tell us what the others had indicated - that you can't teach an old horse new tricks and that she was beyond breaking. God used an old horse and a family of "city slickers" - all of which have no clue what they are doing - and He worked a miracle!
Maybe I do know what comes next... Sunshine and Sarah! We are praying with increased fervor as we take to wooing them!
May He give you the desire of your heart...
May the LORD grant all your requests.
Psalm 20:4a, 5b NIV
For more praiseworthy tales and lessons learned through "no", "wait awhile" or through wooing our horses see:
http://praiseworthytales.blogspot.ca/2010/04/glimpse-of-cross.html
http://praiseworthytales.blogspot.ca/2009/02/note-from-lord.html
http://spaciousplace-karrie.blogspot.ca/2011/01/wooing-wild.html
1 comment:
What a great adventure! I remember a year ago, just trying to get the vet near the horse at all...
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