Choosing To Ride

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV)

Andrea invited me to go horseback riding with her this morning. I wish I could say I eagerly jumped at the chance, but it took her a while to convince me. You see, due to the heat, we would have to leave at 7:30 so we could get home by Noon. With temperatures reaching into the high 90s, it is just too hot to ask the horses to be out working in the midday sun. I almost didn’t go. I had a lot of other things I could have done, including sleeping late after a long week. But, she was going to Alafia State Park and I love riding there. I haven’t been in almost two years. Because Andrea’s husband has a horse now and they only have a two horse trailer (and I am a slacker incapable of saving enough money to buy a trailer of my own), Trucker and I are frequently left behind. Especially when they go for a ride that requires longer travel time. Andrea is kind enough to invite me on the shorter rides when her husband stays home. We often go to Little Manatee State Park and I love it there as well. But, Alafia, an hour’s drive from here has a special place in my heart because that is where Trucker and I got our start on trail riding. I love the park’s rolling hills, mix of woods and prairie and the water crossings that he used to balk at, but goes willingly across now. So, when she said the ride was at Alafia, I agreed to go and I’m so glad I did. As we walked at a slow leisurely pace so as not to overheat the horses, I had plenty of time to look around. The butterflies were in large numbers flitting among the bushes and romancing each other. We saw lots of birds, heard the deep throated call of the alligators and enjoyed the breeze off the lakes before returning to the trailers a little before Noon. I would have stayed out longer given the choice, but know it was the right thing to do to get the horse home before the temperatures got too brutal. I am glad Andrea talked me into going. It made me think about how I profess to being a horsewoman, to how much I love to ride, yet, when given the chance, am tempted to refuse an opportunity to go. I have many excuses, weather, other interests, and laziness. But, if I am really a horsewoman, won’t I overcome them all just for the chance to ride? So, it is with our Christian life. We profess to be followers of Christ, but ignore opportunities to be like Him. Bible Study, prayer, ministry, being His hands and feet to those in need are all critical to my testimony of who I am in Christ. Like I choose to ride, I must remember to set the distractions of this world aside and just be like Him.

PS Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for youngest son. I did get to talk to the doctor myself yesterday. He has an abnormal rhythym to his heart, which while abnormal is also common for young people his age. Doctor assures me no worries, so I will trust him as well as the Great Physician that he will be okay.