God Will Give Me The Strength

Our first home as a married couple was nestled in the woods of Alloway, NJ, next to our landlords, Gary and Marilyn. We loved their tiny farm of two horses, a pot-belly pig with piglets and a Dalmatian named Hope. Each day when I walked the long driveway to the mailbox, I’d stop to pet the horses on the nose–over the fence, that is. I have always had a fear of horses. When Gary and Marilyn vacationed they hired someone to come feed the horses, because I do not deal with horses. That is, except one crazy day.

There was a loud knock on my door. I couldn’t imagine who had driven deep into our little haven or what they wanted from me. “Your horses are loose! They’re up on the corner grazing in the neighbor’s field.” “Okay… they’re not my…” I whimpered as I shut the door. I can’t say I remember praying, per se, but I’m certain I cried out, “WHAT AM I GOING TO DO” as I scrambled for my boots, and I’m certain God heard me. I flung open the refrigerator, then bolted out of the door with two carrots, on a surprise mission to round up some horses.

I ran with a determination that left my fear long behind in the gravel. There could be no other way, only the strong could come.  At the top of the hill there was an intersection, a bright green field and two enormous fugitives.  I had no idea how I was going to do it, only that I was the one who was going to do it. As I came face to face with the beautiful beasts, grace intervened. I lifted the carrots up high to their noses, turned and began trotting across the intersection. They trotted with me, one on each side, all the way down the hill, the long drive and into their corral.  Good horses. They received their carrots and I closed the gate.  Thank the Lord.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13