“It was so good for his soul.” That’s what she said after their first session. This is a mom who first sent her son’s application right before we closed for the winter... right before we purchased our new property and moved. Her son has been waiting. While we put in fences, moved horses, put in a driveway and round pen, installed electricity and spigots, he waited. While we gutted a house, reroofed it, and removed plants poisonous to horses, he waited. He and many other kiddos who have felt drawn to the side of a horse waited.
But the wait is over! We are back at it! Praise the Lord!
The horses are seeing kids again. Volunteers are excited to be connecting with these youngsters. God is busy doing what he does so well: using the relationship between horses and kids to reveal himself.
From the very first class, we have seen God’s hand on both the horses and the students. Horses have been demonstrating God’s love for the kids.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide…
This verse in John 15 is echoing in my heart as memories of horses “choosing” kids weave in and out of my mind. Horses, like many animals, have a sense of our needs and our emotional state. Somehow God wired this 800-pound animal to be so gentle and interested in humans. Cautiously curious. Intuitively aware. Emotionally drawn.
Our black and white paint horse, Soldier, did it again with this kiddo. Blake* thought he wanted to work with Maggie, but Soldier had other ideas. Soldier chose Blake. Many times there is a moment that we can then echo God’s heart, “You are chosen by God as well.” It’s always such a powerful picture to send a kiddo home thinking about.
So we are open.
Yes, open to horses. All of our horses are home except one at this point. Yes, open to kids. All the volunteers feel the immensity of this fall now that we have opened sessions. We have been working and waiting and praying for this moment.
And most importantly, yes, we are open to God. What do you want to do, Lord? How can we help?
Blake’s mom said that he was different on the ride home. He was engaged with her and even tearful. He explained, “I told Soldier something… I let something off my chest that I’ve been holding onto for a long time.”
Thanks, God, for helping kids like Blake get stuff off their chests. Thank you for choosing these kids to come close to you and feel the invitation to follow you. Thank you for involving our entire community in Blake’s growth and every other kid that comes to the ranch. You are very kind.
*The student’s name has been changed for anonymity.
