Moonlight Ride

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

Have you ever waited and hoped for something to come true and then, when you were on the verge of achieving it, began to question whether this was the right thing to do? Like saving for a long time for something special and then, wondering if you shouldn’t spend the money after all? Or buying tickets for a cable car ride only to remember that you are afraid of heights? Or planning a moonlight horse back ride only to have no moon and a lightening storm in the distance? Yeah, I’ve done all those things, the last one just hours ago. My friend, Andrea, belongs to a horseback riding club and every month they go on a night ride when the moon is full. Month after month, Andrea comes back and tells me what a great ride they had and soon, I found myself wishing I could go with her. This month, her husband had other plans so when she invited me to go, I jumped at the chance. We got to Little Manatee State Park about 5:00 just in time to unload the horses before it started to pour. Not just a little rain, but a downpour that filled the trailer awning up with water until it looked like it would burst. It stopped raining long enough to grill some hamburgers, and then, just when the sun started to set and it was time to ride, it started to rain again. This time, there was a lot of thunder and lightening. Fortunately, Little Manatee has a nice barn so our horses were safe and dry while we huddled under the awning and waited. The others told stories about their horses and great rides and not so great rides. I kept thinking what a mistake I had made. I could be home with my husband out of the rain. If it stopped raining, there would be no moon and it would be dark and scary. What a stupid thing to do, ride horses in the dark. I could get hurt. What was I thinking? Then, the rain did stop and though the moon was in part hidden by the clouds, it was time to mount up and ride. It turned out to be a lovely ride. The sand trails glistened in the night. The air was cool and there was enough breeze to drive the bugs away. When the moon did come out, it was bright and the paths were well lit. For a time, Trucker even bravely took the lead walking down trails that we know by memory in the day time, but looked very different at night. I was so proud of him for not being afraid. And I was not afraid either as my heart filled with gratitude for such a wonderful experience. Is God calling you down a path that seems scary and strange? If you set aside your fears and follow Him in obedience, like my night ride, it will be a glorious experience.