The Horseback Riding Ministry
The minister formed a group of young teens into a “riding club” and anyone who had access to the loan of a horse and could ride was welcome to participate. I think of sunny afternoons and the caring spirit of this good person in opening his thoughts to us and the comfort of knowing him as a man, approachable with our cares.
He wanted me to exercise his horse as I had time. I remember one late afternoon when the horse stopped abruptly and dumped me into the holly bushes!
Pastors have a difficult life as they are criticized about any little thing: not preaching long enough; one who preached on too deep a level for the congregation; one who didn’t read well; one who didn’t visit the sick. I could go on and on and each one of you who read this know what I mean. This dear man began to curtail his hours with the teens because, guess what, he spent too many hours shepherding his flock to understand life as Jesus taught and other things were being ignored – or so some people judged.
When this one teen was able to escape her unhappy home and learn unconditional love, how could anyone dare object. I look back and see that the Saturday afternoons were a blessing of peace. After all, if the minister just wanted to enjoy riding his horse, why would he want a bunch of teens trailing after him!
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Sarah and Sam Approve!
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Sharing on this Monday Morning
This happened almost as a coincidence in my life, and it has been great, although my older friends are very few at this stage. It is wonderful to be able to share with long time friends my age as we have so much in common. But now I find my special friend is about 10 years younger and always ready to have a good laugh or cry. I enjoy any age and am reminded of an AA speaker who said, “you may wonder what this old gray headed woman will have to say that will help you, but I want you to know that I have the same emotions as you. They don’t change with age.” I have found her words to be true.
I love my friends, both old and new. I have found that someone I consider unfriendly just needs a kind word and can be a good friend – perhaps they are shy or wounded in some way. Take time to listen!
My ENT asked if the tinnitus bothered me a lot, and my reply was only when I am quiet. And since I am seldom quiet, it’s not a huge problem. I am working on hearing that still quiet voice and achieving that goal is a priority.
Enjoy your Monday, beginning with a grateful heart. Thank you God for good friends.
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BEING MORTAL by Atul Gawande
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Seeking Faith
On Sunday morning, I was so worried about Mary Kathryn that I left for awhile and went to church – communion was being served in the chapel. When I returned to Mary Kathryn’s, we heard a horn frantically honking in her driveway. In the car were Bess Lykins and Betty M. Sloan, the most unlikely persons to recognize a lost dog. They were on the way to church and spotted her going into the wooded area off Wofford St. Mary Kathryn and I hopped in her car, taking Prince, the male companion, with us and a big square of peanut butter fudge. I walked into the woods with Prince and just talked calmly to him, breaking off pieces of the fudge. Faith came hesitantly to us and with my hand on her collar and Prince on his leash, we walked out of the woods. Mary Kathryn had been driving around the block trying to spot Faith, and when she saw us she told me later she thought the sight was a mirage. There were hugs and tears and when we pulled into the driveway, John was outside to greet us. We had someone at the house during those days to answer the phone, always hoping the next call would be good news, and that had been his shift. We had put her blanket and toys on the front porch so she would recognize them if she found her way home, another hint from Betty Hinson.
Our dogs are such precious companions and show the very meaning of unconditional love. Her presence in our family is a memory we all cherish.