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SUMMER UPDATE ON SAMSON
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
(Phillippians 1: 6, NASB)
Me and Samson after our ride yesterday. I got my first horse when I was in my early 20's, and I've had dozens of horses since. I'm in my 60's now, and in all those years, I've never had a horse that has touched my heart as deeply as Samson (aka Sam), nor have I known one with as much heart and try.
A TURN OF EVENTS
By now, most of you know that I returned home from a Texas road trip in October, 2015, to discover my ministry horse, Samson, had come down with a mysterious and serious breathing problem (click the Archive button below to see past updates). A few weeks later, and just as mysteriously, he cut his back leg dangerously near the hoof. I still don't know how he managed to injure his leg so badly. Suffice to say, what happens in the pasture often stays in the pasture. One things for sure, his herd buddies weren't talking!
There's no denying, from October of 2015 to January of 2016, life was pretty tough around here for me. To say the least, it was a turn of events that I would struggle with for months. As a minister and Bible teacher, I have always tried to be as transparent and down to earth as I can be with folks about my life and experiences, good or bad. Why? It has often been in my short-comings, disappointments, and trials that I've learned just how great our God really is. And because of that, there is often a teachable-moment hidden like a pearl even in the midst of trials and trouble. And so it is that I confess, I often found myself vacillating between mountain-top faith when Sam's breathing (and leg injury) seemed to take a turn for the better, only to fall into valley-low despair when it seemed we were taking three steps forward only to take two steps back again and again. More than once throughout those long, dreary winter months, I scratched my head in bewilderment and asked God, "What now?"
Ground-work, ground-work, ground-work - it is the key to a better horse and teaches him to use the thinking side of his brain instead of the reactive side. I ground-work my horses religiously, and it is an important daily part of Sam's rehabilitation and progress.
Funny how just a few days, weeks, or even months can change everything, and head you off in a different direction than the one you anticipated or planned. Such was the case for me. Just a few months earlier (in August, 2015), I had gone out on a limb and announced in the newsletter hopeful plans to offer my program, Natural Horse Faith-Man-Ship, via some clinics in 2016. And then, a little less than two months later, Sam mysteriously developed the breathing problem, and in addition, nearly sliced his foot off! Naturally, I wondered, what's up with this? It felt like a tough break, and one that would, out of necessity, quickly rearrange my future plans. Instead of planning for the future, suddenly "today" with my horse became the most important priority.
Months passed, and after multiple vet visits, I still had no definitive answers concerning Samson's condition. Was his sudden breathing problem the onset of an age-related respiratory problem as one vet suggested? Numerous scans, tests, and ultrasounds, and still nothing definitive could be found. Finally, my personal vet suggested that perhaps the greatest likelihood of Sam's problems was seasonal, air-borne allergens. It seemed odd, but at least we had a diagnosis, sort of. The mere suggestion of allergens sent my husband, Kim, and I into over-drive. We meticulously cleaned the barn down to the very last cobweb, bought special dust-free hay and stall-shavings, and basically quarantined Samson in as sterile an environment as we could invent for the fall and winter months while still giving him freedom to be outside. By January of this year, and little to show for all our efforts, I felt tired from all the extra work, and could feel my faith beginning to wane. But then, God...
BUT THEN, GOD RESTORED
MY CONFIDENCE
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded."
(Hebrews 10: 35, NIV)
After a long fall and winter with little change in Sam's breathing, I decided to get off my hiney, stop complaining to God, start speaking victory and nothing but victory, exercise my faith, and finally, take back my confidence. In February, I began riding and exercising Samson every day, slow and steady in the beginning, and increasing our time and endurance over the months. By the way, this pic was taken a few days ago at the trainer's barn. It was 95 degrees (probably hotter in the arena sand). To try and beat the worst of the summer heat, we're up at 6:30 in the morning and ready to ride after a quick breakfast.
Don't you love those three simple words that can change everything? But then, God... And what always comes after God? The answer we need, of course! As last year came to a close, and by January of this new year, not much had changed with my horse's condition. I began to think of other tough times I'd experienced. Certainly, I'd had my share. So, how had I not only survived those tough times, but with God's help, managed to thrive in spite of the circumstances? No doubt, it was time to stop wallowing in self-pity and use the thinking side of my brain!
For starters, I made a decision to get off my hiney and stop complaining to God about "woe is me"! Then I took back my power by saying what God's Word said about me (and you) in Romans 8: 37, "I am more than a conqueror - I am an overcomer in this life"! And finally, I began to exercise my faith by putting it into action. The result? Confidence! Rushing down to the barn, I pulled Samson from his dust-free stall, and quickly threw a saddle over his back. It was freezing cold that February morning, but it didn't matter. I was re-claiming my life (and Samson's life), and that was all that mattered to me. I never paused to see if Sam was breathing hard. It was time to "Go" with faith. And it was time to ride again.
RIDING WITH FAITH
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
(Mark 10: 52)
Before his mysterious breathing problem and leg injury in October of 2015, Samson was a superior athlete who never seemed to get winded or tire. In February, 2016, we began our journey back to complete wellness. We started out slowly, and have now increased our riding time to 4 to 6 days a week, and 2 to 3 hours a day. Today, Samson is stronger than ever with no signs of any breathing problems, and his leg has healed beautifully. Lesson learned? Always ride with faith!
I absolutely love the scripture in Mark 10: 52 (see scripture above picture). Note that it begins with Jesus giving a command to "Go". Why would He say such a thing? I believe Jesus told the man to "Go" because that is the exact antithesis of "Stay put and do nothing with your faith"! Let me explain. In order for faith to be faith, we have to put some feet to it. Okay, forgive my redneck cowgirl explanation and let me explain it another way. Jesus knew that He could miraculously heal the man's sight, and He did. But he also wanted the man to learn an important lesson concerning faith. And what lesson did Jesus want this man to learn? He wanted the man to learn (and fully realize) that faith is an action word, and therefore, it requires something of us. Faith requires us to move our feet towards the intended goal or thing that we hope for, and oftentimes, in spite of our circumstances!
In other words, faith demands that we say, do, act, move, go. And why does faith demand some kind of action? It's the faith that we put into action that helps to bring about the miracles we so deeply need and desire. Someone out there in cyberspace needs to re-read that last sentence and get hold of it in your spirit. Perhaps you're waiting on God for something that you need or desire. But what if He's waiting on you to act on your faith! The Bible teaches in James 2: 26, NIV translation, that faith without deeds (or works, depending on translation) is dead. Let's take a look at that scripture. "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
Why would the Word teach such a thing if active and pursuant faith were not important in attaining the end result that we hope for? And having said that, is active faith enough on it's own? I'll answer that by saying this. Faith is about partnership. Jesus always holds our miracle. But it's often our job to go after it. Once we obey the command to "Go", then we're in the right position to "follow". And when we follow Jesus, we always end up right where we were supposed to be, and amazingly, in spite of the detours and change of our plans, we always arrive right on time!
RIGHT ON TIME
"He has made everything beautiful in it's time. ..."
(Ecclesiastes 3: 11)
My life with horses has taught me a lot. Among a thousand other things, it has taught me the importance of time, and to savor the special moments while I have them. Here's Samson savoring one of his favorite moments yesterday after a long ride and workout. Note his perky, big ears as he visits one of his favorite mares at the trainer's barn. No doubt, he's sending a telepathic message, "Hey, good-looking, did you see me strut my stuff and flex my muscles today?" To which the mare undoubtedly yawns, and walks away. Mares with attitude - I totally get it, even if my horse doesn't!
Today, after months of riding and rehabilitation, Sam is once again riding like a champ, showing no signs of shortness of breath, and his leg is completely healed. That doesn't mean that we stop now. In fact, we're picking up the pace, in addition to dedicating this year to savoring our partnership more than ever - a partnership full of heart and try, and no quit. In retrospect, and in spite of the trials and trouble, I think Sam is stronger and better than he's ever been. And I believe that I am, too. I'm also more confident than ever. Confident that He who began a good work in each and every one of us will always see it through to completion!
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