His name was Oliver. He had dark brown eyes, a handsome face and muscles everywhere. My knees went a bit weak at the sight of him and awe consumed me.
It was set to be a scorcher so we arrive early in hopes of beating the heat. I was weeks away from Medal Finals and the planned family vacation fell at a most inopportune time. Knowing dreams were on the line and time/practice was critical, my trainer had arranged for me to take a lesson with a friend and peer at a competitive barn in Arizona. In normal fashion she warmed us up with various drills before we started jumping. Then she turned to me, “How high have you gone?”
“Well, the Medal is 3' 3” to 3' 6” so about that.”
“The best riders are adaptable; it is time for a challenge. I know he can do it; can you?” She then proceeded to hoist up the jumps.
I shot a quick glance at my mom and then set about gathering my wits. Unfamiliar with just about everything that surrounded me, save my sweet mothers ashen face and my God given athleticism, my mind was racing.
In the hour since I had met him I had fallen completely in love with Oliver; to the point that I was quietly contemplating how to take a loan out on my entire lifes holdings, earned and unearned, present and future, to take him back to Colorado. But, now, was the object of my desire up to the challenge of carrying me over a series of jumps that seemed taller than I was at the time?
Sure, he was ripped and, frankly, ready to go but I had had a big breakfast…maybe I was too much for his rippling physique…maybe the sun has become too hot and he is tired…that fence looks awfully big…'roll your shoulders back'…right, right, look GOOD just before you break your neck…'you've got your distance now just hold his stride steady and commit to it; keep your eyes up!”….and OPEN, I suppose you want them OPEN….you are out of your ever living mind Majil…this can't be a good idea…AAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEE….!!!!!
As I gently pulled closed the door on my now empty and immaculately clean loft I thought, “what have you done?” The response for the last five days were checks on a to do list: leave your job, move all your “lifes holdings” into a storage space and turn over the keys to your home to a complete stranger. That is what you have done. Driving away, I thought of all the times the phrase “what have you done” has entered my head: college, signing the papers on the aforementioned loft, quitting a job I adored to take the job I just left, etc. Each was filled with unknowns but in retrospect were worthwhile risks.
I went on to jump a number of huge fences with Oliver, which was super fun and wicked addictive, but the biggest leap was in my confidence as an equestrian and knowledge of my capacity as a rider.
In ten days I will board a plane to Atlanta. There I will reconnect with the balance of the “Z” Squad and Team Nikao for a bit more training before we depart for the Philippines. In the Philippines it is my understanding that we, Team Nikao, will be working with a ministry that, in tandem with government programs, seeks to serve street children and orphans in Manila.
Much like Oliver's stride, the energy is building as the distance between me and “Launch” is closing rapidly. I have committed to seeing this WR leap of faith through but I would be lying if I said I have not wondered what I have gotten myself into. Unfamiliar as the surroundings are, save my mothers still ashen face, I have an eery confidence in who I am in Christ. I am a beloved daughter. Crafted with God given gifts that He desires to develop and further enlighten me to. He has crafted me with a strange affection for the rush of unknowns conquered. I understand these next ten days and eleven months will not all be roses and sunshine. I also understand that in dark places I have access to Light and shining that Light in dark places will shape me and shape His Kingdom to come.
Precious Team, it is time to roll our shoulders back, hold our course, keep our eyes up and lift off into the good things Christ has in store for us.
Can you hear the hoof beats pounding….AAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEE….!!!!!
6 Now this I know:
The LORD gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
Psalm 20:6-8
