Great Horse Stories (30 page)

By the end of the summer, Parrott had become the herd's hero and the crew's main antagonist.

That big red mule was sure loyal to his friends. He insisted on giving them a taste of freedom whenever he could. I wonder what our world would look like if all Christians insisted on doing the same thing? The deepest bondage known to mankind isn't slavery, an oppressive government, or even prison. It's the bondage that the devil has over those who don't know or believe in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul encourages
us to get involved. “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants” (2 Timothy 2:25-26
NLT
).

The scariest and most horrible thing is that the devil's bondage doesn't end when people die. No, his torture continues on as eternal torment in hell (Luke 12:4-5). There's only one way to be truly free from Satan's bondage: Accept the gifts of salvation, eternal life, and everlasting love offered by Jesus through His death on the cross. And that isn't complicated. The only thing people have to do is ask Jesus into their lives and let Him be their Lord and Savior. After that, Jesus will show them how to follow Him. (Read “Time to Hit the Trail” at the end of this book for more information.)

The process doesn't end there. Once we're free, we don't want to be selfish. Like Brandy and Parrott, we love our families, friends, and even strangers enough to show them the way to freedom too.

Just think about it. What would the world look like if each one of us shared the gift of freedom through Jesus with the people around us?

Lord, thank You for the freedom You've given me. Show me how I can be a jail breaker and help others escape bondage too. Amen.

•
Thoughts to Ponder
•

Do you have any family members, friends, or acquaintances who don't know Jesus Christ personally? Do you love them enough to overcome any shyness or uneasiness about sharing the gospel? If you're worried about what to say, ask God to give you the wisdom and words you need. There are also multitudes of studies and classes you can take on sharing the gospel.

47

THE AUCTION

Ransomed

I
n south-central Georgia the auctioneer's singsong voice echoed through the old auction barn. Enormous ceiling fans circulated the 95-degree humid and stale air that was punctuated with the sour smells of cattle, goats, horses, and the body odor of hot and sweaty people packed inside elbow to elbow. Ann, some of her friends, and her 12-year-old daughter, Bri, sat on folding chairs in the front row beside the sale ring. They liked to get there early so they could get a close-up view of the horses being offered.

Ann enjoyed her “girl time” at the Saturday auctions, not because she wanted to buy more horses (she already had 10 at home) but because the exciting atmosphere resembled a craft fair and flea market.

The auctioneer's voice droned on as a mare and a colt trotted around the ring. Not paying attention, Ann and company chatted among themselves. In the background they heard the auctioneer holler out, “Sold!” The mare and colt were ushered out. Next a young, bay-roan stampeded in, capturing their attention. The whites of the mare's eyes showed as she raced around the arena looking for an escape route. It was obvious she hadn't been handled much and probably didn't have much training. Every rib showed. A fresh cut glistened above her eyes. Skinned up spots lined her legs. Ann was afraid the horse had been beaten to make it load into a trailer.

The air billowed with dust being churned up by the now trotting mare. Suddenly she stopped. Every muscle in her skinny body seemed to quake in fear. Overhead, the large fan blades slowly turned, barely moving the stifling air.

The auctioneer's voice rang out time and again asking for bids, but no hands were raised. In his rolling voice he kept lowering the price, trying to get an opening bid. Finally he sang out, “Five dollars. Can anyone give me five dollars?” A lanky cowboy, who looked to be in his twenties, raised the white card with his auction number. Ann was relieved. She was acquainted with Teddy and knew that he usually bought horses, trained them, and resold them. The auctioneer picked up his pace. “Ten dollars! Do I hear ten dollars?” But his plea settled on deaf ears. Nobody wanted the straggly, beat-up horse. “Sold for five dollars!” he announced.

After all the horses had been run through the ring, Ann and her group drifted to the back of the barn where the stalls were. They leaned into an enclosure holding a fuzzy baby donkey, chattering about how cute it was. A teenager skipped down the alleyway to her new horse. Her mom lagged several steps behind. As the woman passed Ann's group, she pointed to the straggly mare that now stood in a stall across the aisle. “Did you know that man bought her for slaughter?” she asked sadly.

Ann blinked. In shock, all the gals looked at each other. Forgetting the cute donkey, they walked over to the mare's stall. The horse watched them suspiciously. Hesitantly Ann opened the gate, stepped in, and closed the gate behind her. She held out her hand and murmured quietly to the horse.

The mare shied away and stood off to the side as far as she could, her body braced for action. Dried sweat crusted her neck. Slowly, Ann stepped toward her.

The mare stretched her neck and sniffed in Ann's direction.

Ann waited until the mare relaxed. Taking another step, Ann gently reached out and stroked the horse's neck.

The mare's tense muscles rippled but gradually relaxed as her fear ebbed.

Ann glanced over at her friends and daughter.

Bri was leaning over the wooden gate. She tucked a long strand of blond hair behind her ear. With sad eyes she pleaded, “Momma, let's buy her. Let's save her life.”

Ann shook her head. “Bri, your daddy wouldn't go for it. We can't bring this horse home with us. It's not broke, and we've already got so many horses now.”

Bri's eyes clouded over and tears welled up. “But, Momma, we can't let her go to slaughter.”

The mare leaned into Ann's hand begging for more scratches.

Ann shook her head. “Bri, we can't do it. She's not broke.”

Bri paused, deep in thought as she mentally added up her life savings—$15. “Momma, I've got my own money. I'll pay for her. I can't let her go to the slaughterhouse.”

Ann hesitated and looked at the horse beside her. The mare was enjoying the attention now and acting like a normal horse instead of a crazy one.

Bri begged again. “Please, Momma! I'll pay for her with my own money!”

Ann sighed. “Go find Teddy and see if he's willing to sell her to you.”

Bri raced through the crowd and headed toward the arena. Her heart thumped in her chest.
What if Teddy won't sell her?
From the first moment she saw the mare shivering with fear, she'd wanted to help her but didn't know how. This was her chance. She spotted Teddy's tall, wiry frame. He wore a T-shirt, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. She walked over to him.

“Mr. Teddy?” she asked.

He looked down at her. “Yes?”

“I–I–I'd like to b–buy the little b–bay-roan horse. I'll g–give you five dollars for her.”

He hesitated.

Bri held her breath.

Finally he shrugged his shoulders. “Give me ten dollars, and you can have her.”

Bri raced to her mom and explained the situation. Then she said, “Momma, I've got the ten dollars at home. I'll pay you back if you'll lend me the money now so I can buy her. Will you?”

Ann stroked the mare's forehead and nodded. “I'll call your daddy and have him bring the horse trailer so we can take her home.”

Bri had gone the extra mile to buy a mare nobody wanted. She was scared, skinny, unruly, and beat up. But Bri saw something nobody else did when she looked into the horse's heart. She was willing to pay the man every dollar she had.

After getting her home, Bri named the mare Starlet. As Starlet settled in and experienced being handled with love and care, she became less fearful. In fact, Bri has been training her to be her saddle horse.

•
Bri and Starlet
•

I'm so glad Bri saved Starlet. People are wrong when they decide an animal or person is worthless. That day Bri revealed and modeled God's love. When the people on earth were infested with sin, when we weren't worth much (if anything), God reached out to save us and offer us a home with Him. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That verse pierces my heart. God didn't wait for us to get our act together before sending Jesus to save us. He knew we couldn't change without His power living inside us. Jesus understood before He came that His earthly journey would be extremely difficult, but He came anyway. He chose to suffer for us. He was given 39 lashes—the maximum number without killing someone. The whip probably consisted of many leather strands with pieces of metal and bone tied to the ends. Every
stroke would have ripped flesh from His body. Battered, bleeding, and bruised, He was forced to walk to Golgotha dragging the crossbeam he'd be hung on. His agony was visible as the nails pierced His flesh. Many people watched His struggle and scorned and ridiculed Him.

He went through this suffering to pay for our sins because He had never sinned. He ransomed us from spiritual death so we could be reconciled with God and have new life in Him.

Jesus died on the cross for you. Have you accepted His gifts of salvation, eternal life, and love?

Lord, open my eyes to the gifts You've given me, especially the gift of salvation. Amen.

•
Thoughts to Ponder
•

Have you thought about the price Jesus paid for you? He willingly died because He loves you. Accepting Jesus and making Him your Lord and Savior isn't complicated or hard. You just need to acknowledge your failings (sins), repent, ask God to forgive you, and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. This will be the best decision of your life!

48

TIME TO HIT THE TRAIL

D
oes your life feel empty? Are you surviving instead of thriving? Perhaps you're trying to fill the void through sexual encounters, drugs, or alcohol. The hollow, nagging feeling won't disappear that way! God created you with a place in your heart that only He can fill. He loves you and wants you to be an active member of His family. There's only one way to do that: accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6-7).

When I talk with people about accepting Christ, they often say they aren't good enough. And that's true! “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). That's why God sent Jesus. He knew you couldn't change and grow spiritually strong without a personal relationship with Him. When you allow Jesus to become your Lord and Savior, He enters your heart and His power lives inside you. So what does God want you to do specifically? First, realize that you aren't perfect. Acknowledge that you need Him and want to give your life to Him. He loves you! He wants you to love Him back, but He lets you decide.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9-10).

Are you hitting the trail with God? Have you asked Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior? Or perhaps you've accepted His offer but have fallen away from Him. To invite Jesus into your life or to dedicate your life to Him, read this prayer from your heart:

Lord Jesus, I'm a sinner. I know I can't save myself. I believe You died on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead three days later and are with God in heaven. I accept Your offer of salvation. Please forgive all of my sins. Come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior forever. I trust You, and I love You! Amen.

Welcome to the family of God! Now find a Christian and share your great news! Locate a Bible-based church to attend so you can continue to learn about God and grow in Him. I'm so excited for you! I encourage you to be in fellowship with God daily. Talk to Him, listen to Him, and read His Word.

With love in Christ,