Protecting Happiness...

Over the many years of our ministry here at Tyson's Corners we have watched our healing herd grow from one retired old US Army Cavalry horse to a herd of 16 at one time. There have been some that came to the herd in middle age and are now elders, some that were born into the herd and have lived their whole life here, some whose path stopped them here for just a short while. All have become an intricate part of the ministry here. 
The newest members in our herd are Buck & Scottie, both 10 year old gelded males that ended up together three years ago and then just a few months ago in need of a new home.  Their time here has already been quite the unique teaching experience for many of us who work with the horses on a weekly basis. Opposite personalities and environmental backgrounds, different breeding , and methods of early training have certainly molded them into two different  horses. When they were ready to merge into the herd we quickly noticed that Buck wasted no time finding his "survival of the fittest" instinct as he quickly asserted himself into the herd so as not to be the one eating last, and consequently never getting a bowl full of grain to enjoy to himself. Scottie, on the other hand, from day one always hung back, even at first keeping his distance so far from the others that he would not come in at all to eat his hay and grain. Over the weeks he slowly began to inch a little closer and then a little more closer. He has now after 2 months settled in to eating last and he seems to ask me every day with his big, sweet and submissive eyes, to bring his hay as far away as he is comfortable. I kindly oblige. Scottie has already shared with me his stories of early pain experienced at the hands of humans, through his subtle responses to pressure to the obvious ones like several different brands on his body.  So I do often find myself wanting to protect him from further harm by holding some space for him to feel safe again.  This morning as he slowly ate his grain I felt the need to do this again as Buck came over and started eating Scottie's grain. So I firmly asserted myself as protector of Scottie's last bit of grain from not only Buck, but then three more who came to take his grain. I stood there for many minutes, letting sweet Scottie eat every last bit of grain and I thought to myself....how often I am like Scottie.  How often I let the circumstances of my life steal my happiness.  God tells me in His word, that I will have troubles. He also tells me that for much wisdom comes much sorrow. And I look at Scottie's brands and I think about my own brands of sorrow. I think about how God always creates a safe protected space for me to bring Him my weaknesses of grief and fears. And how it's when I'm in that safe protected space with My Savior that He begins His teachings of wisdom upon my heart. Thank you, God and Scottie....for reminding me that my happiness is not found in things always being good or even fair.  My happiness comes from knowing my Heavenly Father and simply knowing that the beauty of being vulnerable to this life of sorrows means I am His child.  I do believe that one day I will be Home in Heaven with Him, meanwhile I cherish that He is holding that space for me to finish my grain. 
 
His Teaching Cues:
What circumstances of your life are you allowing to steal your happiness? Where do you see God holding space for you and your weakness? Jesus promises to us, "...You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy."  John 16:20
 
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"
 
Ecclesiastes 1:18 "For with much Wisdom comes much Sorrow."