We moved Meg to the stable where the trainer is this week. He brought a horse trailer to transport her. She was terrified of getting into the trailer. He led her to the trailer and lured her with sweet hay. She was so sweet leaning as far as she could without falling over then backing away due to her fears. The trainer said, horses are not “hard headed by nature they are just fearful animals”. They have survived for hundreds of years trusting their instinct to avoid fearful situations by running. Slowly but surely the trainer walked her around developing a trust relationship with her. He led her to safe places and spoke soft words of comfort. He even fed her some soft grass then each time he would lead her back to the trailer. After 40 minutes of developing the trust relationship she finally mounted the trailer. As Les and I watched this dance of trust we remarked how that is so much like us when we have had a bad experience. We are anxious any time we come back to a place of fear or failure. Many people feel that way about church.
Les and I thought, “we too need to provide opportunities to build relationship with people in a nonthreatening environment to build trust”. As that trust is built they are more open to stepping back into a place they may have been hurt in or just not know anything about. Just as it took time and patients for Meg to make that step, it may take lots of time and patients for your friend as well, but the end result is that they arrive where they can get the care and attention they need.

To say I was shocked when Les gave me a horse for our anniversary might be the greatest understatement of the year. My practical brain could not wrap around the fact that my wonderful husband had just fulfilled a dream I had since I was 4 years old. All I could say was “A Horse?” “Where will it stay?” “How will we take care of it?” “Did you get a saddle?” After the adult in me sat down, the child began to believe she really had a horse and one day soon would ride just like I had dreamed. I called my parents, told all of my friends, and beamed from ear to ear almost feeling like someone needed to pinch me.
Reflecting on it all now I still am thrilled and wonder, what would it be like if people got this excited about receiving the gift of Jesus. Would they get past the practical long enough to realize the true gift they had been given? Would they smile ear to ear for days just reflecting on how blessed they really were and dream of all that was ahead. Would they tell everyone about their gift? Oh how I wish they would get this excited. I really believe that receiving this gift has made me fall in love with Jesus even more. James says every good and perfect gift come from above. Jesus is so much more than just a horse, but even the sweet gifts here are a taste of heaven. I can’t wait to see all God has to teach me over the next few years as I learn Lessons from the Stable.