Two Horses
(author unknown)
Just up the road
from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks
like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice
something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that
he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good
home for him. This alone is amazing.
If nearby and
listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of
the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.
Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she
is, so he can follow her.
As you stand and
watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him, and that
he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that
she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each
evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t
too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of
these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or
because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings
others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the
blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in
our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see….
Your memoir can
serve as a “bell” for others.
We think of the
sound of bells as pleasant, lovely. Bells chime in times of celebration.
Write stories to
remind readers of all that’s good, to remind them they have reasons to
celebrate. Write to cheer others and warm their hearts and inspire them to walk
with a spring in their step. Write to brighten a person’s day.
Write to give
someone a smile, or even a belly-laugh. God blesses and teaches through
hilarious incidents and humorous encounters and comical blunders—and who knows?
Maybe someone, through your story, can learn to laugh again.
Sometimes God hands
us pure joy—surrounded by a crowd of loved ones, or maybe in the presence of
just one kind person or kindred spirit. Demonstrate that through your stories.
Bells can also sound
warning, get our attention, demand action.
The author of the
above piece wrote: “God…brings others into our lives to help us when we are in
need.” That could be your role, helping others in need of guidance:
Your stories can sound
warning by letting people witness the ways you messed up—your rebellion,
foolishness, fears, immaturity, poor judgment—and inspire them to avoid the mistakes
you made and the heartaches you suffered.
Like Jon Acuff said,
“Sometimes God redeems your story by surrounding you with people who need to
hear your past, so it doesn’t become their future.”
Someone needs to
hear your “I once was blind but now I see” story, your “Amazing Grace” story:
Someone needs to know how God forgave your sins and cleaned you up and helped
you stand tall and gave you a second chance.
So sound those
bells!
Write your stories!
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