The Old
One
True Horse Story shared by
Eagle Wiley
A brother and sister
had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the
little farm where dwelt their elderly
parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they
had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine,
which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had
become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the
countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood
here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their
lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had
taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty
mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the
mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each
year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and
contentment at day's end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old
folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no
longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her.
You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How
can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why
do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes,
scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of new
boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her
near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He
replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his
wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole
through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it
had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it
that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that
filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the
insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the
first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry
flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror
and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he
raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were
roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the
ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for
help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their
loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing
ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their
grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they
rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the
firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to
his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old
hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he
whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve
of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine
where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon
our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our
beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill
as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered
hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep
snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the
hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the
old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the
incredible beauty before them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught
up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine,
and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most
bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a
mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless
as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.
Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her
forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist
hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas
gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the
entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her
muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great
dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping
cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about.
The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and
tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like
rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies,
pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill
and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at
the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not
disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but
the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---
Because of love. Only Because of love.
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And
again the peace of love filled their hearts.
This is a true story.
Willy Eagle
...
My hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.
The
Sandpiper
by Robert Peterson
She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I
live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever
the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or
something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
"Hello," she said.
I
answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small
child.
"I'm
building," she said.
"I
see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring.
"Oh,
I don't know, I just like the feel of sand." That sounds good, I
thought, and slipped off my shoes.
A
sandpiper glided by. "That's a joy," the child said.
"It's a what?"
more
Do you Seek a Deeper Life with
God?
The apostle Paul prayed, “That I may know Him . .
.” (Philippians 3:10).
The late missionary to South Africa Andrew Murray was a holy man. At one
point in his life he was going through a painful experience. Murray was
quiet for sometime before the Lord and then he wrote these words for
himself: "First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this
strait place: in that fact I will rest. Next, He will keep me here in
His love, and give me grace to behave as His child. Then, He will make
the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn,
and working in me the grace He means to bestow. Last, in His good time
He can bring me out again—how and when He knows."
The Christian is here:
· By God’s appointment,
· In His keeping,
· Under His training,
· For His time. more
Shedding Tears for Strangers
I never served in the
military. Before my son unexpectedly volunteered for the Marines, I was
busy writing my novels and raising my family, and giving little thought
to the men and women who guard us. My attitude has changed. I did not
choose to change. I was forced to.
When my son was at war in Iraq I felt anger toward my circle of oldest
friends — mostly well-off, well-educated people. I didn't know one other
parent with a son or daughter in harm's way or even in the military. And
no leaders were asking Americans outside the military to make any
sacrifices. Were we all in this together or not?
More
What's
in a good soup? Love, laughter, good friends!
Entree
HomeMade
