Teaching Moments

   As I continue my walk with Christ, I find He uses people, places, animals and things as a learning experience. At the time it may be a joyous experience, at others a painful one. There are those rare times when it will be a combination of pain and joy that is inexplicable.

   Many of you remember I wrote three years ago about putting down my dog, Custer, and how painful it was, especially because I had taken him for granted all those years and didn’t realize what he meant to me. I grieved a long time, and still do on occasion, even though God has placed Toby the Goldie in my life. The lesson learned was not to take anything for granted. Now Toby is spoiled, and that’s OK. He is also my praying partner at home when we’re alone.

   Yesterday, as I write this, I had to give up another that was loved, but this time it was my Tennessee Walker mare. She has been a faithful, well mannered, gentle lady of a horse and I shared my time with her for eleven years. We got her when she was thirteen years old and they said her name was Granny. I thought it an odd name until I had her for a short time. Then I came to see she had the patience and demeanor of a human granny. Over the years, she taught me more than any instructor ever could. We spent time together on trails here on the farm, just singing like Roy Rogers, or talking to God or just enjoying nature (without the sound of a motor). She will be twenty-four years old this year, but doesn't look anywhere near that age.

   However, during the last couple of months, I would lay awake at night; because I was getting the strong impression it was time to let her go. I would agonize over this thought, because I had grown to love this old horse and there was a bond between us that can’t be explained. My wife can attest to how Granny would whinny for my attention whenever she saw me. She was my horse and I was her fella. Now I felt God was telling me I had to let her go, because He has things He wants me to do. There is no one here to take care of her if I’m gone for days at a time.

   So I began the search for a new home for her. I was going to give her away to a good home, where she could retire in comfort, if I could just find one. One phone call to Vicki Ervin was the step God wanted me to take, Before I could make any more calls, Vicki put the farrier in contact with me because his son, who has a farm, was looking for a gentle horse to teach his kids to ride. I knew Granny at her age would be perfect for that.

   Then the snows came and I had to take almost hourly care of her. Those days were hard, knowing she was going to leave. Then yesterday came and it was time to say goodbye. It seemed she knew something was up, she kept nuzzling me and I couldn't stop the tears. When it came time to load her on the trailer, she went like a trooper, but when they pulled out, I could hear her whinnying for me. Then I went home and cried like a baby.

   During those tears I felt God speaking to me again. He brought to mind verses of sacrifice, of love, of faith, and of comfort. God used that horse to teach me patience, to listen to something other than myself, to be a good master and to trust. Now I realize it’s the same relationship with God. He can be trusted, He can be listened to and He loves me. He is a good Master.

   Yes there is pain in her going, but there is a joy in knowing God was in it, and there will be a reason revealed for my good and His glory. What that is, I do not know. It’s just another chapter closed and another to begin. Thank you Granny the horse and Happy Trails. Thank you God for the lesson.