Daily Devotional September 15, 2020

Shannon has a horse named Hope.  For the last year, we have been taking Hope to A&M for surgery and chemotherapy.  It has been a grueling process both for Hope and Shannon.  There is no guarantee that Hope will be cured.  Two of her three eyelids have had a tremendous amount of tissue removed.  There is a good chance they will have to remove Hope’s eye in order to save her life.

We have now reached the stage where Shannon is able to apply the chemotherapy without having to make the long trip to College Station.

When the ophthalmologist showed Shannon how to apply the medication, she explained it was terribly painful and eventually Hope would reach the point where she would refuse to be treated.  But the veterinarian did not understand the relationship between Shannon and her horse.

Every afternoon, rain or shine, Shannon is out in the pasture helping Hope.  The fascinating thing is I am truly convinced Hope understands, even though it hurts, Shannon has her very best intentions at heart.  Shannon just doesn’t want Hope to survive, she wants Hope to thrive.  And Shannon is doing everything in her power to make it happen.  The same can be said about our relationship with God.

There are times when the lessons of this life can be very hard.  But our God is so good and so powerful; he can use these painful events to bring us closer to the life he has chosen for us.  All we have to do is trust.

This is why Isaiah says, “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”  (Isaiah 64:8)

I’ve learned from a horse named Hope, that even though I may not fully understand what is happening, I can always trust the One who loves me.  It’s the sort of lesson you can build your life on.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, as I walk this road of life filled with both good and bad, help me to always trust in your love and grace.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

You can trust God no matter what life throws your way.  That’s what really matters.

Just for the record, while reincarnation is not a Christian concept and I don’t believe in it, if it is true, I call dibs on coming back as one of Shannon’s horses.  Life doesn’t get any better than that.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins