Thank Heaven For Horses

I am a member of a unique horse club located near Seattle, Washington.  The club was recently featured on the local news in a 2 ½ minute video spotlight. The news anchor cleverly opened with “We have all heard of ride sharing (referring to car commuters) Well now, there is Horse Sharing…”

Sharing. Such a simple concept, yet so very difficult to execute. At least for me. Did I mention I am not perfect?

As a member I have been entrusted by others to interact with and help care for their lovely horses. I am so very blessed. Not only do I get to benefit by the relationships and enjoyment of spending time with the equine members but I have also greatly benefited from the interactions with the human members as well. The relationships I have been able to cultivate over the past 6 years have been filled with some of the most rewarding social and emotional interactions in my adulthood. 

The adoration I feel for so many of the human members is insurmountable. They have been so open in sharing their time, resources, knowledge, and emotional bandwidth with me, it brings tears of joy to my eyes to think back. But it doesn’t stop there, they have also allowed me to enjoy their precious animals.

The list of the sharing of time and resources with me as a club member is endless. I have access to 7 horses, 15 acres of land, a covered arena, any tack or supplies I may want or need, 7 days a week 365 days a year. I don’t know if it is possible for people to be more generous with their  time and resources.

And it goes on. The members have spent countless hours with me over the years sharing knowledge, stories, tools and more. 

But there is more. The kindness, patience, and emotional support I have received over the years as a member has been invaluable. Many of the members going above and beyond, allowing that support to go beyond the confines of the horse world.

And what do I contribute? I have purchased 2 small tack items and left them in the tack room for members to use…that’s about it, when it comes to tangible resources. Well, I pay my nominal monthly membership fee. I come out 2 or 3 days a week and I help with some of the barn chores. A couple times a year, I take care of the Ranch when the owner needs to go out of town. And I have recently begun to help with giving tours to potential members, and teaching new members the knowledge of our herd and methods that I have acquired over the years. That has felt good; helping others and sharing in their expansion and enjoyment. I also try to be emotionally supportive to others; listening, encouraging, and sharing.

Part of me thinks I have not contributed enough. 2 lousy pieces of tack, pathetic. But then I remember that one of the most priceless things you can share with others is your time. Something you can never get back, something that is so precious and limited, if we chose to be more aware of the fact , we would never sit in front of a TV or computer screen again. (Probably not the smartest statement to make in someone’s first online blog post. But I suppose, in stating so, that is just me being me.

Scripture

Hebrews 13:16 

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Use me lord as a tool for your glory. Teach me to have a giving heart, and to share with others my time, resources, energy and your love.

Thank you, Lord, in Jesus name,

Amen 

Question

What do you devote the majority of your time to?