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Friday, November 06, 2009 |
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Copy is a beautiful jet black Tennessee Walking Horse donated to Heart’s Desire, but with a little too much “spunk” for our riders or most of our volunteers to handle. She became a beautiful pasture ornament until we began to use her wonderful ground manners to teach our “at risk” youth lessons on submission, self-control, assertiveness rather than violence and strength of character. She then became the visual aid for an academic support program in the reading of Black Beauty. In addition, we had bred Copy to a fabulous stallion with incredible blood lines. We felt if she could not be ridden, maybe we could raise a colt to auction for a fundraising effort. Copy was due to foal around the first of May; perfect timing to end the school year and the completion of Black Beauty with the birth of a foal. Copy cooperated and a beautiful smoky gray filly was born on May 1.
All the children were in awe. They sat and watched her motherly instincts and protective nature. They saw how she began to train the filly and lived the reality of the Black Beauty story. We were, of course, thrilled and immediately began the filly’s (Sweet Pea) training and imprinting. Then, at one week old, in the middle of the night, dogs attacked “Sweet Pea” tearing her hind quarter severely ripping muscle, skin and tissue away. Numerous puncture wounds were also prevalent over her body. I was angry and crushed. I immediately called the vet. While awaiting his arrival, I was so frustrated I just wanted to put her down. The center didn’t have the money to take on another extensive medical bill. We would never be able to sell her, now. Would she ever be rideable? We don’t have the time to invest in the healing process this was going to take!
Suddenly, I heard the voice of God pierce my heart. “Karen, is that how you see these children? Expendable? Worthless because they are not perfect? Are you just going to throw them out?” My heart sank. With great repentance I fell to my knees there by the barn and prayed, “Father, forgive me. My expectations and my purpose for this baby do not matter. You evidently have something greater planned. You evidently have a purpose I cannot see. I give her to You to use as You see fit.” Immediately the answer came. I called Jan, our “at-risk” instructor. “Jan, you have a great lesson plan through the attack of this filly.” I then shared what God had spoken to my heart.
The following Monday, Jan took her class to visit the filly. As they observed her wounds, Jan began to share. “She was born beautiful, perfect. There was no blemish. Then in the night the enemy came and attacked. He stole her purity. He took something from her and she will never be the same. Her scars may not always be visible, but they will always be there.” As she spoke, John (name is changed) had tears well up in his eyes and roll down his cheeks as he turned to Jan and said “I know how she feels.” John had been sexually abused as a young child and his scars were deep, but God began a healing in him through the pain of a young filly.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
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