The One for Thanksgiving

I can’t believe it’s almost Thanksgiving. While the weather definitely warrants this festive holiday, the time getting here seems to have flown. Both of my boys came to me on Thanksgiving of 2006, so this holiday is very special to me in many ways. With the economy in a constant state of flux, many are having a hard time to find just about anything for which to be thankful. I am however feeling blessed over and over again.

Something which I’ve been reflecting on lately is hardship and disappointment. I believe the general response is a rather bitter one. However, God has commanded us: “In Everything – give thanks.” Something that was recently brought to my attention is that the command is not “to be thankful FOR everything” but rather “IN everything.” This means hardship or not. Disappointment or not. Whatever you are going through: Give Thanks.

Everyone says it’s easy to be thankful for the Good in our lives, and yes, I would have to agree with this statement to a point. However, if it’s so easy – why don’t we do it enough? Why then is thankfulness for everything that we have so been blessed with not seeping out of us at every seam? Why is it we seem less thankful the more we have? While thankfulness is easier when life is going well rather than badly, actually being thankful on a constant basis is NOT easy. It’s a habit learned – a spiritual discipline. And it’s a discipline many of us are sorely lacking.

I have so many blessing to give thanks for, that I feel compelled to write them all down lest I forget them and miss thanking my Lord for blessing my life. But, as this blog is mainly about my horses, I will begin to explain my thankfulness for them.

First – I love their personalities. They surely light up my life. Their enthusiasm and joy in almost every aspect of their life is heart warming. I cannot count that laughs they have given me. They are also truly forgiving (especially if you have treats!) – and even forgiving of the vet! They don’t hold grudges, and they try so very hard to please.

For Sudi – While I’m not quite sure yet where exactly Sudi’s athletic talents lie, there is something deeper about him. He draws you towards him and surrounds you with peace. I really don’t know how to explain it any more than that. I can only say that it’s a gift God has given him. While he is ALL boy, he is incredibly sweet – towards everyone/everything. I’ve seen him interact with children, other horses, adults, cats, pig, goats – and he treats them all the same. Never mean or aggressive, but curious and will share whatever he has with them. And this is a HORSE that does this. The other day I stood back in amazement as one of the barn goats, Bailey, barged into his stall, moved Sudi away from his feed bucket, and dove right in to a mouthful of sweet feed. Sudi stepped back momentarily, and then very calmly stuck his nose back into his feed buck and continued eating – right next to the goat. If only more humans were so forgiving and willing to keep giving! Everything God has given us is not meant for us to hoard and store up for ourselves alone. Like Sudi, we should give freely what God has so graciously given us!

For Kehbir – He is so very unlike any horse I have ever owned. Such athleticism locked up in that coiled spring! I also really love the innocence about Kehbir. He is like a child that has been untouched by anything bad in life. He loves his life – he loves running – he loves his mom – he loves his feed – he loves playing with other horses – he loves Malibu (my friend Amber’s horse). Everything in life is something WONDERFUL to be exuberant over. Again – why can’t we as humans be so amazed and in love with the blessing we have?

Absolutely nothing about bringing along these boys has been easy. There have been so many points, setbacks and vet bills where I’ve stood back and asked, “Is this really worth it?” I have been disappointed by what others have pointed to as limitations in both my “children”, but I can only sit back and rely in confidence on the fact that God appointed me to have these horses. Specifically these horses. And most importantly, God alone knows the most intimate desires of my heart, and he also knows what great things are ahead in my future. He brings trials into our lives for a reason – and that reason is to bring us through them to make us shine as the stars. If it weren’t hard, the result would not be nearly as marvelous. So I give thanks to God for and IN everything. My life is in his hands – and HE is faithful -and he will do it.

I hope you enjoy your upcoming holiday season! Remember to reflect on everything good God is doing in and through your life! (Feel free to share some in the comments section below!)