Merlin: Best Pony Ever

Currently we have twelve horses.  Well, actually eleven horses and one welsh/arab pony named Merlin.

Now, understand that I am the one who feeds Merlin every morning and every night and it is me who keeps the water trough full. I am the one to make sure he gets proper veterinarian and farrier care, that his tack fits and is maintained and, that all of the above gets paid for. But Merlin belongs to my daughter Karen, and it is Karen who loves him.

One morning Karen and I decided to go for a trail ride together. While she dawdled getting out of the house, I headed up to the pasture to catch my horse Sansira.  I filled my pockets with horse cookies, picked up her halter from the barn, and headed to the far end of the pasture. Before I could spot Sansira, Merlin intercepted me and began to nose through my pockets for treats. Ponies are such greedy little things.  I filled one hand with cookies and with the other, stroked his sleek grey neck.

Merlin was happily into his second handful of cookies when I caught a glimpse of Karen just as she disappeared into the barn to fetch Merlin’s halter.  From behind the barn door Karen called to her pony.  “MERLIN!!! COME ON BOY!”

At the sound of her voice calling his name, Merlin whirled away from me.  He stood at attention, his ears swivelled back and forth as he searched the pasture and barnyard for Karen.  Positive he had heard her, but still not sure where she was, he took a few tentative steps towards the gate.

Again from inside the tack room, Karen called to her pony. “MERLIN! LET’S GO FOR A RIDE!”

Merlin neighed his excited answer and was off, galloping full tilt towards the barn.  I looked in surprise at the forgotten cookies laying in my hand.  Ponies are usually such greedy little things…

As the dust settled around me, I watched Merlin respond to Karen and she to him. Without a halter, he followed her, just wanting to be with her, to be secure beneath her touch and gentle voice.  She leaned into his neck, and he curled his head around her so she could stroke his soft muzzle.  His ears tuned to her as she told him what a beautiful and precious pony he was and about the wonderful ride they would enjoy together.

As I stood watching the two of them, I contemplated the many voices I have heard over my life.  Dark whispers try to convince me that I am unattractive, unlovable, untalented, stupid, ugly, fat, worthless, and … fill-in-the-blank.  I suspect that you too have heard these voices.  Perhaps spoken aloud to your face, or perhaps a subtle doubt of unknown origin has crept unbidden into your innermost thoughts.  Here, these voices try to convince you of hateful destructive things about yourself.

But there is another voice that calls to you.  It is the voice of Jesus, and to you dear child, He will whisper only truth. Listen to what He has said about you.  “You are worthy of love, My deep and never ending love. You are wonderfully and exceptionally made.  I knew you even before I created the world, and I long anticipated your birth.  I have a good plan for your life, and my great desire is that you would allow me to help you see it through.  You are worth saving, at all costs, and for you, I would give even My own life.”

Many voices, and yet you must decide.  To which voice will you listen and believe? To whose voice will you run?

I could see that Karen was already brushing Merlin, almost ready to put his saddle on.  It was past time to find my own horse.  I turned back to the pasture, but she was nowhere to be seen, probably deep in the back bush somewhere.

“Sansira!” I called. “Where are you?!”

From behind a line of thick trees there came an answering neigh.
And then, the sound of pounding hoof beats.

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and my own know me. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:11,14,27&28