I am a huge animal lover! My whole family is for that matter. Well, except for my precious 13 year old daughter, she really doesn't see the need for pets.
This week, for whatever reason, I saw just how important pets really are, and quite possible why God gave them to us.
My favorite animals are dogs, cats, and horses. I love animals I can cuddle. The boys in our household love the reptiles (which, to me, are NOT pets!) So, to make all of us happy, we have a little of everything, well, just about everything. Dogs, a cat, a snake, chickens, and we used to have turtles, fish, and a bird. We even have a small dog kennel business in which we board dogs. So, yes, we love animals.
A couple of days ago I had the privilage of going horse back riding with some dear friends of mine. I grew up with a horse, and boy have I missed it. Over the past few years I have told myself (and my husband) that I didn't want another one. "I don't have time for one", "their too much work", "their too expensive". WHO AM I KIDDING?! I miss it SO bad!
When I walked into the horse barn the other day, and took a great big wiff of that aroma (no, it is not a smell), it was like my whole body relaxed. My friends refer to horses as "therapy", and I know that all too well. Growing up, my horse, Dee, knew absolutely everything! She would listen to me cry my heart out to her, and I know she understood me. She definitely was my therapist. Somehow, spending time with her made everything better. And I found myself feeling that way the other day. I walked out of the barn with my friend to go get the horses and bring them into the barn to get saddled up. I was on cloud nine. The feeling of walking up to such a majestic animal, being face to face with him, and putting that halter and lead on him and leading him into the barn, it amazes me how such a large animal can have instant trust. Walking him back to the barn brought me right back to a time when I was leading my Dee from the pasture into the barn and something spooked her. She startled, which knocked me face down in the dirt, and she took off for the barn, her hoof nearly missing my head. So that "instant trust" is not to be taken lightly. They are still a very powerful animal.
So into the barn we went, got our horses all saddled up, and off we went for a glorious ride. I felt so relaxed, even though my friends warned me that my horse was capable of "sassing" me. That really didn't bother me. Even when he did, indeed, sass me later on, I was fine. But do know what struck me as I was riding this gorgeous animal through God's amazing world? Let me try and explain it.
Here I was, on top of this 1,000 pound horse (give or take a few pounds)guiding him where I wanted him to go, and enjoying every minute of it. However, in the back of my mind, I needed to remember that at any given moment, this large animal could very well choose to do what he wanted to do, whether I tried to stop him or not. Even though it "appeared" I had complete control over him, I really needed to be aware of what might be "around the corner". For example, there was a time, years ago, when I was sitting on the barn floor, painting my Dee's hooves, getting ready for a show. Now, remember, I had COMPLETE trust in my horse, so, mind you, her leg/hoof was positioned right between my legs as I was diligantly painting away. Yes, I felt that relaxed with her. That day I learned just how mighty she was when a fly landed on her leg, started biting her and she went to get rid of it by lifting her leg and stomping it down. Yup, my hand was between her hoof and the floor. And, yes, I was off to the ER! Another time I was riding her and,again, something spooked her, and she took off. I accidently dropped a reign, so there was no way of stopping her. All I could do was hang on, knowing she would eventually stop. In the barn. And that is exactly what happened. Sure I was scared. I had no control of her. I was cringing. I thought, if I fall off, it WILL hurt. But you know what? I didn't fall off. And you know what else? My finger healed fine. Well, it's a tad flatter than the other ones, but for the most part....
All of these thoughts, reflections and feelings have reminded me of my life with God. You see, He is so mighty and so powerful, yet He loves us so tenderly. He does, in fact, give us some control over our lives by giving us choices. Or free will. However, no matter what we might do to look like we have complete control over our lives, God, at any given moment, reminds us that He, indeed, is the one in complete control. We might get stepped on, fall off, feel like we are on some wild ride, but God is always the one holding the reigns. We might cringe sometimes as to what might come our way, but in the end, we find ourselves okay. That the pain only lasted for a short time, and that God has given us the ability to climb right back in the saddle and enjoy the ride. Yes, when it comes to horseback riding, I definitely do not want to let go of the reigns. However, when it comes to my life, God may gladly have them. Why? Because I know, without a doubt, in the end, I will be just fine!
One more animal story that happened this week that reminded me of God. We have two pugs in the house. One, Annabelle, is my princess, and everyone in the house knows that. She can do no wrong. Well, at least in my eyes. The other one, Matrix, is not so good. In fact, I very much dislike him, and everyone in the house knows that! And he knows it too! However, the other day, I sat down on the dining room floor, called him over to me, and wouldn't you know he came running over curled up in my lap. He knows I don't like him, yet he showed me love. Dogs have such unconditional love for us, don't they?
And isn't that just like our Father? There may be days that we just really do not like Him. In fact, there are days that we just down right hate Him. We fight Him. We want those reigns and complete control! But no matter how much we fight Him, He shows us unconditional love. He always has his arms stretched out wide, waiting for us to run to him. And when we do, He wraps those arms around us so tightly that all we can feel is that unconditional love.
I think this is why I love animals so much. I truly believe God has given them to us so that we can catch but a small glimpse of His love for us. His unconditional love. I pray you, too, will always know God's amazing love as well!
God bless!
