Last week we were blessed by a visit from my sister-in-law. She and her husband moved from Texas to North Dakota almost two years ago so it is always a treat when they come to town for a visit. Jenna and I have a lot in common... Aggies with determined personalities who love to shop and eat Mexican food. But one thing about her that doesn't even register on my radar is her love for horses. They call her Ellie Mae. I would better be described as "not an animal person!"
Nevertheless, I enjoy hearing her stories about prize-winning barrel races, her newest rescue dog or her latest adventure - animal chiropracty. You won't find me on the back side of a sore horse providing specialized muscle therapy, but I have learned a thing or two from her. She loves her horses. They are family members to her. But like that strange uncle, horses, no matter how well-trained, can be unpredictable.
A horse who has effortlessly galloped around large bright barrels hundreds of times more as a ballerina with hooves than a massive equine can have a bad day. Jenna is an amazing horse trainer who has had hundreds of successful races, but like everyone who rides, she has a few stories of those bad days too.
I think Solomon must have known a lot about horses too...
Nevertheless, I enjoy hearing her stories about prize-winning barrel races, her newest rescue dog or her latest adventure - animal chiropracty. You won't find me on the back side of a sore horse providing specialized muscle therapy, but I have learned a thing or two from her. She loves her horses. They are family members to her. But like that strange uncle, horses, no matter how well-trained, can be unpredictable.
A horse who has effortlessly galloped around large bright barrels hundreds of times more as a ballerina with hooves than a massive equine can have a bad day. Jenna is an amazing horse trainer who has had hundreds of successful races, but like everyone who rides, she has a few stories of those bad days too.
I think Solomon must have known a lot about horses too...
There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the Lord.
Proverbs 21:30-31
The wisest man to ever live understood something that I need to remember. My most thought-out plan, my most valiant effort will always pale in comparison to the victory found only in Jesus.
As a wife and mom, I am great at planning and preparing. Last week, I fed my family, two extra kiddos, a father-in-law and sister-in-law, and various other family members for five days with a menu so well-planned that it didn't require a single extra trip to the store. Mackenzie is going to pre-teen camp next week. I've already started packing her bag. I'm a well-trained work horse who runs this house like one of Jenna's successful barrel runs most days.
But then there are those bad days. Those days when I spoke the words that would have been better left unsaid, those days when I was too busy to listen or to selfish to give. It's on those days that I am most thankful that my victory, my success in this life and my security in the life to come isn't in the horse. It's in the Lord.
As a wife and mom, I am great at planning and preparing. Last week, I fed my family, two extra kiddos, a father-in-law and sister-in-law, and various other family members for five days with a menu so well-planned that it didn't require a single extra trip to the store. Mackenzie is going to pre-teen camp next week. I've already started packing her bag. I'm a well-trained work horse who runs this house like one of Jenna's successful barrel runs most days.
But then there are those bad days. Those days when I spoke the words that would have been better left unsaid, those days when I was too busy to listen or to selfish to give. It's on those days that I am most thankful that my victory, my success in this life and my security in the life to come isn't in the horse. It's in the Lord.
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