There is nothing better for the inside of a girl, than the outside of a horse. Today’s inspiration is a gift from my oldest child, Leah Michelle Collie, the most beautiful cowgirl God ever made.
Persistent Like Art
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
My high school graduation gift from my parents was a short, red, stubborn horse I named Art. Born with the heart of a lion, Art’s passion was not in the arena, much to my dismay, but on the trail. There was never a gully too steep or creek too wide for my little trail blazer. My friends and I love to trail ride. If we ever go riding through a rough place and have a “new to riding” friend, we mount them on brave little Art. He is faithful and true.
One sunny afternoon a large group, me included, set off for a long ride through some rugged country. I was atop my trusty little steed. A few hours in we came to a large creek crossing. Art and I were bringing up the rear so I didn’t hear the instructions on avoiding a two foot, underwater drop off. When our turn came, Art plowed ahead without hesitation. In his hurried fashion we quickly met the watery hole. Art fell head first into the rushing creek submerging us both. Miraculously, he stumbled back to his feet keeping me in the saddle and getting us both safely to the other side.
After reaching dry ground my friends and I spent the next few minutes letting Art cough up water and catch his breath. For the first time ever, I saw fear in his eyes. If you have ever been around horses you know they are animals that are easily traumatized. Seeing his fear spurred my fear to life. Had my wonderful, lion hearted gelding just lost his bravery? Would he ever be the same? In addition to these worries, we had another river that couldn’t be avoided on the path back to camp. Would he cross the next creek at all? Was I in for a struggle just to get us both home?
Shaken, I saddled up and headed back toward camp. I worried all the way to the next creek crossing. Much to my delight my brave horse laid back his ears and dove off into the water without hesitation. Art brought us safely back to civilization, never letting his momentary fear keep him from pressing on.
In Paul’s letter to early Galatian Christians he told them “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we reap a harvest, if we do not give up”. As Christians are asked to be persistent and not give up in our quest to do what is good. Like Art and I learned, sometimes there will be hidden drop offs and moments of weariness and fear, but remain persist for the harvest ahead. While Art’s harvest is a bag of hay and bucket of oats, ours will be an eternity in heaven.
Happy Trails to All of You,
Love,
Leah