Velvety Soft Horse Noses

Year 6 - Day 186: Today, I am grateful for the softness of a horse's nose.I could list the ways I am a weirdo... and give all my secrets away... but I won't. If you read Daily Gratitude long enough, you will figure them out. One quirk is that I absolutely adore touching a horse's nose. The part by the nostril that is so utterly soft there are few words to describe it. It is velvety and in such contrast the general characteristics of one of God's most magnificent beasts. The horse has very good sense of smell. They scent their loved ones... and the ones they fear. They scent yummy treats hidden in a fist or pocket. There are true cowboys who would tell you they scent trouble, too. The horse has to have some sense you are a friend to allow you to pet that soft spot on their nose. Sometimes, with loved ones... they initiate the contact. I could not help reusing this image from Mackinac Island. Horses act as taxi service on the island and they are a part of the landscape. Swept back in time  by the sights and sounds of horse and buggy, the magic is tangible. It is not a place to hurry. It is a place to sit back, relax, take in the sights and marvel at unique opportunities to witness life before motor vehicles. It is a place to wonder at the softness of a horse's nose.That a creature who is considered a beast of burden can have such a vulnerable spot on their body always in the lead, makes me rethink their courage and trust in their rider. When wild and free, they run. When in relationship with man, they must trust their human for their care, protection and well-being. The horse is stronger than the human. The term used for taming a horse for ridding is "breaking" them. It is a terrible term. I am not an equestrian, but grew up near farms and with friends who had horses. I loved watching them ride up and down the country road. Those who love horses want to harness and tame the horse for riding, but not break their spirit. When Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, he said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Let's look at Matthew 5:5 in a couple of other translations for clarity. “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought." -Matthew 5:5 (MSG)"God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. -Matthew 5:5 (NLT)How do we balance our strengths and God given gifts with humility? I think, at times, the pride and arrogance can be the achilles heel of the Christian who is truly seeking God's face. It is easy to become corrupt by the fame, power, control and even resources available. Oh, yes, Satan does some of his best work in our churches. It must grieve the heart of Jesus.The WWJD phrase was popular many years ago. What would Jesus do seems like a good question. I propose that a better one is "What Did Jesus Do?" When it came to rules or people... he always chose to love the Father and to love people over the rules or popularity. There are so many examples of him being "a rule breaker" but in truth, he was stepping up to a greater need. A soul needed rescuing. As believers in Jesus, we are told that our mustard seed faith can move mountains, but it is never the power of the person praying. It is the power accessed when a believer plugs into Jesus, seeking his face, trusting His will and showing grace and mercy to others. In the same way he pours out grace and mercy out on each of us. Like the horse who appears to be doing the work, we know it the masterful, loving, guiding hand of the trusted rider that directs the path. In Him, we have everything that can't be bought. Someone once said, "We make a life, not be what we get, but by what we give away."Jesus spent his days pouring out love on others, to the point of exhaustion, when he would then retreat to a wilderness place to recharge. He was a masterful storyteller and teacher. He could bring his points home to the highly educated smarty pants and the wide-eyed child, all at the same time. Spending time with Jesus... being with Jesus... can be compared to that incredible softness on a horse's nose. The mighty and the meek... together in service to the King of Kings. He is mighty an almighty. We each have strengths and gifts, but we need him to rein us in. When we let him reign in our hearts, he guides us gently... except when we fight him. Oh, how I have been there. Fighting for my way and my plan. When will I learn, His is always better? As my friend Kristin once quoted, "I might have a better plan, but I don't have a universe." There is a big picture and we are part of that amazing, redeeming love story. A God who says, "Welcome home." when we surrender. One who longs for all to answer the call, "Return to me." I am reminded of the soft, tender arms of a Jesus... the ones with nail scarred hands... who says, "It's okay. You were worth the price. Snuggle in and savor my peace." Today, I am grateful for the softness of a horse's nose.