In the late afternoon hours of an early spring day, I found myself driving around town looking for a friend's dog. Her dog had escaped from the backyard and was nowhere to be found. Understanding the deep bond of a family pet, I headed out as soon as I heard she was missing to try and spot her. Like a needle in a haystack, I knew the likelihood of finding her was slim. I prayed as I drove, asking God to lead me.
God led me, but not to the dog. As I was creeping along a back road scanning every inch of yard and alley, I came upon a field of horses. How I love horses! So noble and majestic, I could sit and watch them for hours. I slowed my pace to almost a halt watching them graze when my eye caught a young girl of about ten sitting atop her horse. She was further in the distance, her horse nose to the fence and motionless. I kept watching, waiting for them to take off riding together, but they stood completely still.
Intrigued, I turned my car around to get another look and came to a complete stop in the middle of the road. My bad eyesight made it impossible to see the detail of the young girls face, but her silhouette in the late sun made it clear to me she was in conversation. I strained to locate another person she was engaged in conversation with, but could find no one. Worried my car would disrupt the scene, I found myself holding my breath.
Soon, it was evident what I was witnessing. This young girl was sitting on her horse with no saddle and her conversation was clearly with her beloved, trustworthy friend, her horse. My heart skipped a beat as I watched her lean down and bury her face in the mane of her massive companion. Her small arms reached down his sides in an embrace. I sat amazed as this horse stood with no protest, almost enjoying the presence of his young rider.
She sat up again and I froze in my seat. I didn't want her to know I was watching her, yet it was such a beautiful scene, I couldn't move on. Again, it appeared she sat and communicated with her horse, her head moving and her legs cheerfully swaying about his muscular back. What I wouldn't give to have my camera! The low hanging sun glowed orange and radiant through her blond, pulled back hair. The vast Kansas flatland stretched out before them placing them on a vast canvas. My soul exhaled. Pure beauty, artwork in the desert land of southwest Kansas.
Longing to stay and drink in such beauty, yet knowing my friend's dog could be wandering further and further away, I began to roll into motion. I beheld the portrait before me as long as my eyes could focus, whispering an exclamation of amazement to God. My Heavenly Father, knowing my deep longing for beauty, had again blown me a kiss.
As I drove, my thoughts lingered on what God just gifted my eyes to see. I wondered what the sweet girl might have been sharing with her faithful, secret-keeping friend. I marveled at the ease she sat on top of such a strong, overpowering creature and with the still small voice so familiar to my heart's ears, the Holy Spirit spoke.
"There is ease in relationship where there is no constraints, no control, no manipulation, and no fear. Beauty in friendship lies within faith and trust." This young girl had painted such a perfect picture of the kind of relationship God longed for me to have with Him and longed for me to have with those I love. There was no saddle, no bridle, no bit, no reins, and no spurs in the relationship I witnessed. The precious young girl rested on her horse with no need to control or constrain or manipulate. She gave of herself completely to an animal able to throw her off with one swift move. The horse so completely massive in scope to his little friend, allowed her to lean on him, to whisper secrets or joys or wounds into his ear, and feel the strength of his presence without fear. She needed no bit in her horse's mouth to control him, she needed no bridle or reins to steer him or limit his movement, no forceful spurs, no burdensome saddle. This sun-kissed girl's presence was light and free upon her horse. The horse had no desire to eject his passenger from his back. She was free to be close to him and rest on his strong frame. Her movement and embrace was welcome, her voice heard.
So very few relationships today reflect this kind of freedom. Our past hurts, insecurities, and fears cause us to weigh others down with control, manipulation, or painful, harsh words. In my lifetime, I can think of only a few relationships as free and beautiful as the one I witnessed in that Kansas field. When we remove the restraints, the control, and the fear, beauty and freedom can be found. How blessed I am to have a few of those friendships of beauty, so free and full of trust that the true heart can be revealed.
This was touching - beautiful Jo!
ReplyDelete