Reggie and Wildfire

12/11/08

Yesterday was a traumatic day in Critter Patch, for one of the Critters was in trouble. I received a call at dawn from my sister, informing me that her horse, Reggie was down and asked if I could come help. I quickly jumped out of bed grabbed my boots and coat and rushed over to her farm. I saw her standing way out in the far end of the field, and my horse, Wildfire was standing beside her. When I reached them I saw Reggie, what a sight he was. Apparently he had laid down too close to the fence and rolled into it. Now his legs were caught in the fence and he was helpless to free himself. His sides were heaving and his body quivered. Wildfire stood close to Reggie with his nose down near Reggie’s muzzle as we pondered what to do. The odd thing was that Reggie was not fighting and struggling. Because of this fact, I thought he was very seriously injured, for it has been my experience that a horse will thrash about in such situations, unless they are too hurt or exhausted to continue to struggle, and they end up injuring themselves worse which makes it very hard to help them. Robbie’s neighbor, who apparently watches her every move (and I guess that can be a good thing sometimes) saw her run across the field and said he knew something wasn’t right. So, he came to check it out and offered his assistance. We got Reggie’s legs untangled and tied a rope around the two legs closest to the ground then with a big grunt we flipped him over. When he rolled to freedom he leaped to his feet and all fears of him being terribly injured faded away as he and Wildfire ran off to celebrate again the freedom they once took for granted. They Kicked up their heels and bucked for joy, twisting in the air like ballerinas.

Reggie was just fine, only a few scratches. So why was he so still? I believe it was the presence of Wildfire that kept Reggie calm during this crisis. Wildfire stood quietly by his friend, comforting and soothing him. Later as I watched them in the field, they were standing with their necks draped over each other. Buddies for life, those two.

There are many lessons to be learned from this story. Lessons about the importance of watching where and how we spend our leisure time. There are traps out there in the world that may look safe and inviting but they can hold us captive and even be lethal. It also reminds me of the situation we find ourselves in. We are trapped in sin, helpless to free ourselves without the help of our master. God sent His son to free us from the entanglement we’re in. If we allow Him to, He will set us free from the prison of sin that would otherwise mean our certain death. At times I struggle in my Master’s hands and I can make it hard for Him to set me free. When I am too exhausted to keep going I rest in His grasp, and only then do I finally find the peace and freedom I was fighting for.

It also makes me think about friendship and how very important friends are. Friends and family bring comfort and peace when the storms of life hit us blindside, and seek to swallow us whole. They laugh and cry with us, work beside us and instead of us. They are silent when words are weak , and listen when we need to process things. They leave us alone when we need space and hug us when we need that closeness.

I thank God for the friends and family that He has blessed me with. For I know that the love they have shown me can only come from Him.

May God bless us all with the ability to share His love as we seek to be true friends to those around us.

Bonnie Morsette ~ 12/11/08