One of my horse experiences...In case you all thought I was the perfect rider...lol
Horseback Riding: A relationship among a horse and human where through giving, receiving, and understanding riding is achieved, fears are evaporated, and the world around the two of you becomes non existent. A relationship worthy of demonstrating and giving the human race a small idea as to the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with all of us.
That is my definition at least...
I don't want to say a long time ago, because that makes me sound old and I'm not, but some time ago when I was 11 or 12 I started learning how to canter on a horse. For those of you who don't know what a canter is, think of riding a merry-go-round horse and you'll get the general idea. Only, it was much scarier on the real thing. I was on this averaged size horse, but to me she was huge and a canter was fast. Every time I asked her to go she would take off so quick it felt as though I didnt even have time to breath.
My lanky body would be shifting around on this horse as stiff as an iron post and my face would turn two shades whiter than it already is. My riding instructor at the time was having difficulties getting me to calm down. I am a cautious person, and don't really do things I think are crazy or stupid...for the most part. Its really left up to my judgment and at that particular time...cantering...Well it was stupid. I was perfectly happy at the level I was at and didn't want to move any further. Why should I? But my instructor thought otherwise and sent me off into a canter one more time before my lesson ended and that's when it happened.
My horse lurched into her three beat pace and as she did both of my legs wrapped around either side of her, tight! She took that as a signal to go faster and with her ears pinned forward she started to run. I panicked, and as I was racing around the ring on this horse I started to lose balance and leaned towards the wall. I looked to where I was about to fall and saw the mirrors lined up around the rail. I knew if I fell to that side I would fall into the mirrors so I took a deep breath and pushed myself off towards the middle of the ring and landed in the cold dirt with a thud.
I didn..t get up...my riding instructor ran over to where I was standing and started tapping me hard and feeling a sharp pain in my right shoulder I came to and demanded she stop hitting me. After she helped me up I walked straight over to where my horse was standing and demanded to try again. My instructor wouldn..t let me, but she did at least let my get on again and walk around.
After, my parents took me to the hospital, and there, I received a sling, and some very pretty pictures of a fractured shoulder. Yea. What a souvenir.
It took four weeks for the bone to heal, but it took me one year to gain enough courage to ride a horse again. I was scared of them, but still determined to someday ride, and canter without falling off. My mothers friend let me take care of one of her horses. My determination kept me at the barn, maybe not riding horses but near horses. This particular horse was named Buddy, and that he was to me.
Slowly I started to gain confidence in my skills through working with Buddy. He was patient while I dealt with my frustration. He was kind when I was mean. And he was gentle when I was scared. Buddy helped me deal with my lack of confidence by letting me rely on him, and before I knew I was ready, I was on his back riding again...And soon after I started to ride Buddy, I cantered. Without any saddle, and it did feel just like a merry go round.
A year after my shoulder, all my fears forgotten, and all because I had a relationship with an animal who seemed to understand my every fear and thought. An animal that wanted to have a connection so badly that he put up with my idiosyncrasies, fears, and anger. And when I think about this incident today I can see that it is not just about me regaining my confidence around horses, or having a great relationship with Buddy.
It was God, showing me that no matter what my situation is, or what I am feeling at the time He is always by my side. He helps me be confident, when I am angry He is calm, He is kind when I am mean, and He is so gentle when I am scared, and God..s patients towards me is never ending. He sacrificed it all. I thank Him for that. And my only hope is I can help others realize the illustrations of His love for us and the love that we should show through ourselves, that He gives us through animals. Maybe by doing this, as small as I am in the scheme of things, I can be a tool for a difference. And maybe in a small way, because I know I could never give enough and He doesn't expect me to, I can show Him my love and gratefulness for all He has done and is doing for me.
..The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22)..
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