“You’ve been saved, not by your own doing, but by the grace
of God." ~
Ephesians 2:8-9
Unlike humans, horses sleep by
many short rest periods, often while standing.
In fact, if a horse lies down for too long at one time, it can cause serious
health problems, even death. That’s why
when Dusty laid down on the soft ground for a period much longer than a short
nap, his friend Wilbur got worried.
“Dusty!” the pig coaxed.
“You gotta get up!” The Vet’s on
her way with medicine. If that doesn’t
work, she’ll have to put you down. Be
strong, my friend!”
The Vet arrived with a bucket of pills just like Wilbur predicted. “Your horse is very ill,” she told the owner. “I brought some drugs to try, but if he’s not
up by morning . . . well, unfortunately, you know the routine.”
Such a kind woman, thought Wilbur. What a terrible job - to have to end such a magnificent
animal’s life. But clinically, with
death knocking on the barn’s door, he reasoned that decisions were made in the
horse’s best interest – to end the pain, the agony, the loss of freedom.
Wilbur returned to his side.
“Come on buddy, get up or else you're going to die! I'll help you!”
Dusty remained immobile.
Wilbur’s mood darkened.
He’d failed to notice the gradual time ticking while his friend had
aged: his hollowed facial appearance, the graying around his eyes and ears, the
“swaying” of his back. He pushed the
thought of death quickly aside as if by avoiding it, it simply wouldn’t happen.
All night he begged and pleaded for Dusty to get up, to show
the vitality so much a part of his equine character. If need be, he wanted to bury his comrade by
the tree where they used to stand in the afternoon sun and spring rains.
The sun rose, but before he’d accept the inevitable, he
prayed one last time. “Listen ol’ pal, it's now or never! Get up, be brave!”
Slowly the beast stirred.
“Come on buddy, that’s it,” encouraged Wilbur. “Don’t stop now.”
On all four legs now, Dusty took a few wobbly steps, then a
slow trot and finally a powerful gallop.
“You did it!” squealed Wilbur. You’re a champion!!!
The owner rushed to the pasture, saw Dusty prancing playfully
and shouted “It’s a miracle! My horse is
cured. This deserves a party. Let's roast the pig!”
And so it goes.
Sometimes, we really don’t know who’s actually responsible for our
success; who deserves the credit, or who actually contributes the necessary
support to make things happen. God does!
He values small tasks as if they were great and noble . . . when done in
His name.
Father, no matter what I achieve, I owe my
success to God-given talents, opportunities and people outside me. Remind me that the minute I allow success to
build a feeling of arrogance, I become vulnerable to making bad choices. Amen
