On a cold, damp Saturday morning I volunteered to take photos of a local indoor horse show. It is a challenge to take indoor photos of horses jumping across crossties. But the real challenge were these young ladies on their horses trying to maintain their balance and show the judge that they were in tune with their horse. To be the best version we can be takes practice, patience and an encouraging trainer. These young people had an abundance of love and encouragement in the stands and from their trainers.Our young people were quite nervous while tacking their horses and getting their numbers tied around their waist. Once in the ring, they had to listen to the announcer as she re-laid the commands of the judge who was watching each rider walk, trot, cantor and jump in the ring. Sometimes, thankfully not often, a young lady would approach the jump and her horse would stop, hurling our rider through the air. A breathless moment as parents and trainer grasped, but the resilience of these young riders was evident as they would simply bounce up from the dirt and get back on their horse.
Sadly, our tendency in our life journey is to fall when we are unstable and this makes us afraid to try new things. The example of our young fearless riders is that you simply brush yourself off and get back in the saddle. They learn from their trainers that the best commands never come from a whip, but a gentle touch of the leg and a balance that tells the horse that "we are the best version that we can be." Gentleness, understanding, compassion are the commands these creatures best respond to in a rider. However, you also learn alot by the spills and how you rise to the surface. These children were awe inspiring to anymore who faces challenges in life like a broken relationship or broken promise and learn to find a way to mount the hills of life and get back into the journey.
Stunning horse show images capture the precise moment rider and horse approach a jump and prepare to go over the rail. It takes spilt second timing, a wide-open lens, fast ASA, a much better camera than I can afford and over a thousand photos were taken that day. Despite this challenge, I uncovered a surprise that occurred in the barn when no one was looking. It caught my eye and I want to share this moment of love. It seems as our young rider was waiting her turn in the ring, she took a stroll through the barn to pet one of the horses. This horse knew our young person was nervous so she tossed his nose in her direction for a pet to calm her nerves. What are you nervous about these days? Losing your job, your health not the best, someone misunderstood your intention and you were scolded and rejected by those who care only for themselves.
God prays for us as we reflect: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends during this Joyful Season of Lent that when they need the comfort and understanding of a loving God. May they come to rest in your hands as you gently pick them up off the ground and put them back in the saddle. Enjoy the ride with a trainer who knows how to keep you in balance so that your spirit will reveal the best version of yourself.
