There is something about the cowboy life that is so alluring to me. I had the opportunity to work on a few farms growing up and I got to live a part of that cowboy dream. There were trail rides through the woods, almost getting bucked off a horse a time or two, a time or two accidentally catching the side of a hill on fire because we were shooting at gas canisters to make them blowup, learning how to do hard manual labor. Sometimes, I’d stay over, rise with the morning and take care of the animals. I didn’t love every second of it. Honestly, there were times I’d pretend to be sick just so I wouldn’t have to work in the heat. Truth be told, I was a wee middle schooler, so cut me some slack.
About eight years ago, mom came up to me and in more or less words said, “You’re getting your own horse.” At the time, we volunteered most everyday at a local farm/ranch that tried to do community outreach and present the gospel through horseback riding and fishing. I didn’t have many friends, school was rough, the days were long, and it seemed like everyone and their mother had a horse to call their own besides me. Granted, mom did have her own horse as well. Now, we have never been a wealthy family. Honestly, I don’t know how we were even able to afford a horse of our own but we managed.
Fast forward
Mom and I arrive at some farm to look at a horse for sale. They brought him out, saddle and all, and instantly I knew he wasn’t right for me. For more than one reason, we decided against him. The funny thing was, the family selling this horse had a friend over who was trying to sell an appaloosa that no one had ridden for the past four years. So, we all pilled up in our car and headed over to this person’s farm. We get there and the lady who owned the appaloosa lead him towards us. He was the runt of the heard, skinny cause the other horses would bully him out of his food. His name was Jeopardy, Jep for short.
I was hooked! I was a pretty small dude, at the time, so I was able to ride him without worry of hurting him since he was four years stiff. We bought him that night and he showed up to the farm we volunteered at about a week or so later. The picture above is actually from the day he arrived!
Jep was full of personality, like myself. He would get so excited when I got him to run that he’d do little bucks and jumps not knowing how to contain himself. He was probably just happy someone was paying attention to him and giving him exercise. There was even a time where I turned around and Jep was drinking my Pepsi! He seemed to like it. We were pals, the two of us.
It goes without saying that I knew which way was up with fashion back in middle school. A bright blue cotton shirt, black jeans, dirty shoes, and a super stylish white helmet.
It’s been years since I’ve seen Jeopardy. Through a series of unfortunate events, we had to say “goodbye” to our horses and move on with life. I miss him near everyday.
I write all of this to say that God shows us his love through many different experiences and seasons of life. I felt like I was alone and he gave me a best friend. Jeopardy and the farms were experiences I needed. After that, God opened the door and gave me a passion for theater and performing. Now, he has me going across the world to tell everyone about his love.
I struggle from time-to-time thinking that God can’t really care for me or want anything good for my life. But then he reminds me of Jeopardy, the friends I made and skills I learned through my years performing, the lives he has impacted through me from my time serving in kids ministry for the past near 11 years, the ways he has impacted me through my time serving him.
We cannot truly comprehend the work done on the cross by Jesus Christ. He did something so beautiful that we are now known and seen as God’s glorious inheritance (Ephesians 1:18).
What is one way that God has been showing you his love recently?
