Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it.
From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car or are walking by, you will notice something amazing...Looking into the eyes of one horse you will see that he is blind. His owner has not chosen to put him down, but has made a good home for him.
This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, 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 the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so that he can follow.
As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far back to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away 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 to find their way...
Good friends are like that...you may not always see them but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.
And remember...be kinder than necessary - everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly...
Leave the rest to God.
