If you’ve ever participated in a dressage show, then you know the magic of these three words. The reader pauses and puts away the USDF test book. The horse stands straight and square in the center of the dressage arena.
And the rider breathes.
It is finished.
Today is Easter Sunday, the highest day in the Christian calendar. On this date, also known as Resurrection Sunday, believers worldwide celebrate the victory of Jesus Christ over the grave.
Watching and Waiting for Wonder
(posted for the A to Z Challenge)
W is for Watching … and Waiting … and Wonder.
Have you ever marveled at the miraculous and magnificent ways God expresses Himself, quietly painting images of His love in the details of our lives?
Take a look at the newest arrival at the barn.
This sweet foal was born this week to a prime Thoroughbred dam, sired by a pedigreed racer. Sadly, the owner did not live to see the latest addition to his string. An avid Midwestern racing fan, horse breeder and dressage show host, this respected horseman succumbed to cancer two weeks before this lovely little one arrived.
Steal a peek at this beautiful baby.
Think perhaps God is trying to tell us something? Born during the Christian Holy Week, this little one looks to be a gift from above with a message of love.
Having bred and raised my own horses, I admit I tend to be partial to my own foals. But this newcomer may be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
(I snapped these photos with my cell phone, so the resolution is not fabulous, but the foal surely is.)
Certainly, this foal was worth the watching and waiting … just for the wonder!
Image/s
Photos copyrighted by
Linda Ann Nickerson
Nickers and Ink Creative Communications
Here's a video the owner posted:
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Watch it, and try not to be touched by the beauty of this dam and her foal.
I surely have been, and that horse is no longer with us. OK, I’m not heartless, but I'm only half kidding.
That little guy (who is not exactly little anymore) has been embraced wholeheartedly by another family.
I just sold the sweet boy, as my herd had grown too large. At this point, we have one young, green horse and another on the way. Actually, this guy was a wonderful horse. In fact, he still is. He just deserved to be someone’s pride and joy, rather than the one for whom we never seemed to have enough time.
Plus, the adorable chestnut foal grew up to exceed 17 hands. Who knew?
His new owner adores him.
And, although she confesses he has tossed her in the dirt at least once, he has never kicked her. Perhaps she will thank me someday for correcting him as a kick-happy yearling. (Or we could both thank the vet for … oh, never mind. That surgical procedure, though necessary, might bring back painful memories.)
Sometimes a swift kick may be just what we need. Maybe it’s a wake-up call or an attitudinal alert.
Kicks can be fun too.
Just for fun, consider this oldie. Take a listen to “Kicks,” by Paul Revere and the Raiders. Look, it’s a bunch of guys in white breeches and tall boots, who likely know very little about dressage.
Animal Psychology and Popular Theology Made Simple
Can animals teach humans a thing or two about theology? Do animals even believe in God?
These questions may give us cause for pause (or paws, if you prefer).
Here are a few off-the-hoof statements – ideas we might sink our collective teeth into. Ponder these, and see what you think. Leave a comment, if you dare.
How do some of our favorite animals think about God?
The horse likely thinks to himself, “My human feeds me, so there must be a God.”
The cow might grumble moodily and say to herself, “I feed myself, along with everyone else. Is there really a God?”
The goat may have less discerning ideas, opining thusly: “I eat nearly anything. Maybe God is everywhere.”
The dog may consider deity this way: “My human feeds me, so he must be God.”
The cat probably sums her own theology up succinctly: “My human feeds me, so I must be God.”
The human, perceiving all this intrigue, may decide this: “Look at all the wondrous creatures God has made.”
Apparently, January 15th is the Feast of the Ass. This annual holiday commemorates the journey of Joseph, Mary and the infant Christ from Bethlehem to Egypt. The angel of the Lord warned Joseph in a dream that King Herod planned to kill the Child. (See Matthew 2:13-18.)
Because the Holy Family packed up their donkey to flee, this holiday became known as The Feast of the Ass.
In celebration of this holiday, The Mane Point offers a favorite commercial video, showing another very brave and resourceful donkey.
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Of course, no disrespect is intended for those who honor The Feast of the Ass. We just feel it’s time for much-maligned donkeys to get a little respect.
Love poetry? Check out Simply Snickers, a brand-new weekly poetry prompt. Try your hand with weekly prompts! Or, look into The Meme Express for daily blogging prompts.
Throughout 2009, please join us at The Heart of a Ready Writer, a Bible reading and devotional blog, as we read through the entire Bible in chronological order.
As I visit the barn daily to care for my sweet senior mare, I find myself asking key questions.
This beloved horse has borne three beautiful babies, even after teaching our whole family to ride. Her faithful spirit has never wavered, through injury, illness and aging.
Sleep can be sweet for those who enjoy it, but often those left behind may be sorry. In the grand scheme of things, a deception of doubt may tempt us to panic, particularly as we ponder the final place of rest. Do we truly trust?
How is it possible to let go of one we love so much? How long will we have left together?
Love poetry? Check out Simply Snickers, a brand-new weekly poetry prompt. Try your hand with weekly prompts! Or, look into The Meme Express for daily blogging prompts.
Throughout 2009, please join us at The Heart of a Ready Writer, a Bible reading and devotional blog, as we read through the entire Bible in chronological order.
