"Mystic's Quest"

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." 1 Peter 1:6

If it wasn't enough that 2010 started out with a life-threatening injury to one of my dearest friends, my horse, Jazz, the year ended with the sudden death of a beautiful, arabian mare, Mystic.  I found her cast in a small ditch on Sunday and we could not get her back on her feet. My heart cries out, "Why?" but my spirit knows that God has a plan, even for her. And no one can argue there will be horses in heaven!! "The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." Rev 19:14

Mystic came to the ranch in 2006 with her best friend Quest. An almost pony size mare that I had the pleasure of teaching to halter and lead. She was such a smart little mare and even after a long winter break always started her lessons right where we left off. She seemed to enjoy the ground games. Although she was always relunctant to let me reach out and pet her neck without a lot of desensitizing exercises, after our  games she would follow me around like a puppy dog. This year I had planned to take her through the levels of Dressage and prepare her for a small rider, just her size.

Of all the horses I have worked with, I was always the most relaxed with Mystic. She never did anything threatening and my whole goal was just to help her learn to trust us more. She taught me to smile and relax when I approach; something that doesn't come easy to a results driven type A personality. Disappearing from the herd a couple times last week, I was suprised when she would eagerly come up to me when I called and without hestitation let me scratch her nose. Still a little reluctant when I reached out for her neck, she certainly seemed happy to see me.

This was a great trial; one of my greatest nightmares come to pass. I do not hestitate to put my trust in the Lord because I trust the Lord knows how much my body and soul ache with grief. Quest had guarded her until I came down and found her and there was no doubt that Shafina and Galahad knew there was something wrong. When the vet came out, they galloped around her and called out to her.  I know they expected us to help her. They trusted us just as we had trusted the Lord. They are off on their way now; grazing and frolicking in the pasture. Did they forget? Or do they just trust in the eternal nature of God?

Though still lame, Jazz will survive. I  am thankful she is walking and growing new hoof. I came to terms with the fact I may not ride Jazz again. Turning my focus to the pasture horses, I was excited by my spring training plan for Mystic and Quest. Just out of arm's reach, as Mystic often positioned herself, it feels as though she slipped out of my hands along with another dream. As my young wrangler says, my little mare is now on Mystic's Quest. Mystic's quest to find the green pastures God has prepared for her in heaven where she will find peace and never be afraid. I, too, set out on Mystic's quest to find God's peace in all of this.

"Do not be afraid," says the Lord, "I am your shield, your very great reward." Gen 15:1