Holiday Wishes!

Hi everyone!

With the holidays coming up, I don't think I am going to have a blog post for the next couple of weeks unless I end up having the time to actually sit down and write...maybe....but I know how that goes! :)

But I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who reads and supports my blog, it means so much to me that anyone would care about what I have say and actually continue to read it.

And personally it has been a blessing for me to just write what God lays on my heart and what I learn through my special furry crew. I hope it can be an encouragement to others or simply bring a laugh or two. ;)

It has been a great year and I can't wait to see what God has in store for the next! I hope and pray everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday season with their loved ones and friends. Cherish every moment, never take it for granted and hold onto the true meaning of the season.

Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Years from me, Brooklyn, Merrylegs, April, Sam, and Bella!

What is Christmas Truly About?

Hi everyone,
So I am figuring based off of the title everybody is guessing a pretty cliché post about the true meaning of Christmas and how we should celebrate. Well yes and no. I want to offer my perspective of this year's Christmas. I have always enjoyed Christmas time with all the music, good food, time with family, and traditions. There does seem to be a magic in the air around this time of the year that can be infectious. But I have been reminded this time around that their is also a darker side to the holidays. The stress of running to countless family gatherings, being with people you may not always see eye to eye with, having the pressure of cooking Christmas dinner for everyone, shopping for the perfect gift for everyone, and feeling like you have to complete this unspoken checklist of mandatory Christmas festivities. I have spoken to several people this year who can't seem to wait until the holidays are over. They just want all the stress to be over with and done until another year. Now in many ways I get that...speaking as a true procrastinator when it comes to gift planning, but this year I have been much more at ease and I want to tell you why and see if maybe this can encourage anyone out there today who is simply just worn out about the whole Christmas thing. I have been asking myself this year the age old question of what does Christmas truly mean to me? It is like Charlie Brown when he has reached the end of his rope and feels as if he can't do anything right for the holiday season and cries out for someone to tell him the true meaning of Christmas. And sweet little Linus takes center stage to proclaim the story of Christ's birth. It may be just a "kids" show but I tell you I tear up every time I watch that precious scene. Why? Because that means something to me. The day Christ was born was the day I received the best gift I could ever imagine. The hope and the way to my salvation. No material gift I could receive here on earth could ever compare to that. There is a reason why it is called CHRISTmas and why some people refuse to acknowledge it. We have tried to replace it with cheap imitations of things that may make us happy for a season but have no affect whatsoever on our souls or eternal happiness. Now I am not saying it is wrong to give and receive gifts but we need to think of the heart of the matter. Are we giving because it is an obligation or because we truly want to? It is just something we do or do we truly wish to bring a smile to someone's face or make their holiday a little brighter this year? And let me tell you not all gifts are material things. I believe some of the best gifts are the ones not in a touchable tangible form. To me Christmas is first and foremost about Jesus's birth but it is also the celebration of this with others. It is the time spent with family, the smiles, the laughter, the memories, and the stories. It is the joy of giving of our time and our hearts to those around us and to helping those less fortunate. Now this recognition brings me to another revelation I have received.
So many people don't appreciate the holidays because of the stress and pursuit of materialistic things but for many others the holidays reminds them of painful things. Past childhood memories that weren't so joyful, broken families, and loss of people dear to them. Everyone of us knows someone who has lost a loved one who they will not longer get to spend Christmas with or we ourselves have experienced this sorrow. And I have to say that the thought has humbled me especially this year and has made me think not just about Christmas but about the whole year entirely. I feel like most our days in this fast paced world, especially the holidays, are filled with the "let's get this over with mentality". I want to change that to a "let's cherish this" mentality. Now not everything will be perfect and rosy all the time but not to sound like a narcissist and simply be real, we aren't promised another holiday season. We aren't even promised tomorrow. And I for one don't want to spend my days stressing over the things that don't really matter. The things that cloud the chance to have a  precious conversation with a family member, laughter from the kitchen mishap, off key but heartfelt singing of Christmas carols, smiles and love of those around you. I want the magic of the Christmas season to last beyond December 25th. I want it to last all year. I want to cherish everyone and every moment I have been given on this earth and to celebrate the life I have received. The future I have been given by God on a glorious night in a stable. I want to give hope to those who have lost their joy for this season. I don't want my goodwill toward men to happen only around this time of the year. So many people out there are chasing all the wrong reasons for Christmas. They are trying to do Christmas instead of receiving Christmas for what it truly is: a time to celebrate the greatest moment in history. When real, lasting hope was born. Every day that hope needs to be reborn inside of us, 365 days of the year. It doesn't need to be about how well we did by the world's standards, but how we did with what God gave us. We all need to be a little Linus and proclaim without fear when all those around us are in desperate need of the real truth because you never know who is really hurting, especially this time of year. Enjoy your gifts, hot chocolate, decorating, and music but remember, what you can't replace is the time God has given you here on earth to share the good news, spend with family, friends and the impact you can leave on someone's life this holiday season. And that is what Christmas is about: the act of giving the gift of all the hope inside your soul, just as the precious Savior gave His all so that we may have life beyond this world. So let's spread the Christmas cheer not just in this month of December but all year around.

Got It All Together?

Hi everyone,
I am sure you have heard the phrase "He/She just has it all together" or "They've just got it all figured out".  It is used to describe someone who's life seems pretty great to the eye and they just seem to have everything mapped out and planned to a T. Life seems to go so smoothly for them or they appear to take it that way. Someone labeled me with this phrase recently and I took it has a compliment, gave it no more thought, and went about my day. But this week I have been pondering about it more. What made them think that?
Now, during church last week the pastor was talking about a subject that brought it all back. It may seem like I am getting of track but just stick with me. :)  Anyway, he was talking about how God gives us limitless grace no matter what we have done in our past. We have the ability to repent, be forgiven and come to know Him with a fresh new life. There is no divide that He can't cross. Now we as Christians have a tendency to "limit" that grace. We have set up all these traditions and regulations that cloud the true path to God. Instead of Christ being enough we add on all these hoops that you have to jump through to be the "perfect" believer or the "perfect" Christian. It can be manifested in so many ways but we begin to pick and choose our own qualities of a qualified Christian. Often these qualities have a tendency to be related to what we think we are doing good at. We go to church every Sunday, we never doing any work on Sunday, we tithe such and such amount, we pray and read our Bible 10 times a day, or we never ever smoke, or drink, or cuss, have done anything remotely "bad". Let me tell you....we aren't fooling God. These things don't make us Christians. On the surface some people may think we got it going on, but inside we are really just broken, weak, and sinful-natured people who need a Savior to forgive us.  So confession time...for people who think I got all my ducks in a row. I'm great at hiding. I am great at holding everything in so it looks okay. Partial that is because I don't want to bother people with my struggles, I mean everybody has got their own problems right? But the other reason is because I don't want people to see the weak mess that I can be. I want people to think I've got it all under control. No, I'm the girl who lets perfectionism rule her life at times(I mean who loves making mistakes right?), who acts like she's this tough spirit sometimes when ultimately she has spent her fair share of nights crying because she feels lonely, or inadequate, or angry because I didn't say the right things or because I feel like I am too sensitive. The girl who doubts herself and can be her own worst critic. I'm also secretly the girl who from time to time wants to have "her moment" to shine, to hog the attention, to not have to be the kind and sweet Kayleigh all the time because let's face sometimes a lot of people hate you for it and think that you are just pushover spineless baby. Not to mention being kind can hurt at times when people step on your heart and don't appreciate it. And of course this wouldn't have to do with being selfish ever would it? I am not strong at all on my own. I can be a train that comes off the track at times. I have made future plans for myself and wallowed in disappointment when there is a lot of people out there who don't have the ability or chance to have the life I have right now.  I don't have it all together and I sure don't have it all figured out. I do not deserve that title. I have told people things and gave advice on things that I have failed at myself. I have been a hypocrite before...we all have. The truth is we all have our messes and it doesn't matter how "bad" they are. Obviously some things are worse than others and we're not going to into heinous crimes and such but in God's eyes the playing field is the same. For we " all have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Romans 3:23 (ESV) We all have sin in our hearts. Not a single one of us is more deserving of God's forgiveness and mercy than the other. We all have our battles we deal with every day. Our weak spots that the devil digs at. So instead of putting those around us down because they do "this" or thinking that somehow we are so much "better" than them and therefore more deserving of God's love, we should be understanding of their struggle and and strive to help them. We need to be  more open and not act like we're "OK" all the time. We need to be real. Also we need to be careful about those we hold in regard. Not that it is bad to have role models, but watch the fine line between that and idolizing someone. Christ should be our true role model.
Now I have to tell you what helps me is to recognize, admit and face your struggles instead of sweeping them under the rug or throwing distracting decorations over them. We want to see the real Christmas tree even if it's a little shabby and uneven. (It's close enough to have a Christmas analogy right? ;) Admit that your areas of weakness and don't be afraid to ask those you trust to help pray for you and those struggles. You don't have to go into to extreme detail if you don't want. But we have to stop pasting on the smile and acting like we are these picture perfect Christians. I think that this is one of the biggest struggles of the modern church today. We are so caught up with looking and sounding the part and we have added all these requirements in addition to Christ that we in a sense play God Himself. We are unconsciously telling people they will never be deserving enough to be a part of His family when the truth is not a single one of us is. That is what grace is about, saving those who have no way of earning it on our own. Granted our lives need to change for the better when when we choose to live for Christ and there has to be fruit, but we are never going to be perfect and we all  will still have our battles to face. But if we face them together and with God's help we will overcome. (Matt. 18:20) So I do not have it all figured out and honestly there are things I am sure I never will. I wake up every day with a challenge I must face, a selfish desire I must die to, choices to make that sometimes I mess up on. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose, but I have to strive to be better each day. And this is why I keep writing for this blog and how it as grown in different directions that I first imagined. I'm not writing to put myself on some pedestal or to get tons of views, but to share the real life struggles I face in hopes that it can help someone else, so they won't make the same mistakes and to know they're not alone. So here is the line to describe me: I am a messed up sinner saved by God's grace, working to be the best I can be for His Kingdom and my hope is through that I can show others, anything good that comes from me is Christ. So how about we put down the facade, be real with people, stretch out a hand, and be people who "figure it out" together with a loving Father who wants to guide us every step of the way.

Meet Bella

Hi everyone!

So I would like to introduce you to the newest member of my little family:                                   

Meet Bella. She is 4 year old miniature who has the ability to melt hearts. ;) She has some of the softest sweetest brown eyes I've ever seen and if there ever was a pony with a "...gentle and quiet spirit..." (1 Pt. 3:4) it would be her.
Lately I have felt like God has been calling me to get back to my original focus of using horses as therapy animals as a branch of my business plan. A therapy pony has to be pretty special and withstand a lot of unusual circumstances. My other guys are gentle enough but I need something I can train to "go on the inside" if you know what I mean and visit people in actual nursing homes, hospitals, schools etc. Now Bella is very shy and has not had much done with her but apparently has an affinity for children. It is my hope to work with her and possibly get her certified for therapy work or.....
Bella is also expecting a little one this next summer. And to say the least I am sooooo excited!! This will be my first equine baby and I am looking forward to the experience. And this baby is going to be born with a job...haha! From the very beginning I will be able to work with her/him and train it to the perfect little therapy pony. So whether Bella comes along or we find out that being a inside therapy pony is not her gift, then I will be able to use her little one.

Each time I have gotten an new animal I feel as if God has guided the process. Each of their stories and the connections made with absolute strangers has been such a rewarding experience. I have made new friendships and new doors have opened.
It is also exciting to see how He is opening the doors to my business. This next year is shaping up to be the right year to start this venture and I have gained resources that I would have not had if I started this earlier. Just evidence He always has a plan! I also feel He has convicted me to get back to some of my original visions. I have always been happiest when I am helping others and bringing happiness to other people's lives. Something about taking the focus of yourself and your "problems" and being there for someone else is good for the soul. As Christians we are supposed to be Kingdom and Christ-minded and what did Christ do? He cared about others. He sacrificed. The focus was not on Himself. I want to reflect that. I want to bring joy to people's lives with the amazing creatures He has blessed me with. Lately I have had feelings of guilt that God has given me a fairly easy life with my health and abilities when so many people are struggling and in pain every day of their lives.  But I have realized that I don't have to feel guilty. Now that doesn't mean I parade around and act like I've got it all together because I don't. But  rather it is a humbling and huge calling. Because I have been blessed with all the capabilities I have, I need to use those to help everyone I possibly can around me. I can't sit on the sidelines when I have work to do. I have a responsibility to help, encourage, stand up, speak out, and fight for people who need it. I need to use this body and mind to give it everything I've got to help those God puts in my path. And that means using the gifts God has given me with my animals to make lives a little brighter even if it is just for a day. Because one day's kindness can last a lifetime. And I want that legacy. A life used up to the very end giving to others as Christ did. My hope is Bella and her little one can help bring that dream to a reality as well as my other special buddies.
I ask for your continual prayer in this venture and that God will give me the strength and guidance to stay on the path He has for me. And I will and would suggest for you to continually pray for God to show you those around you that can use your help, gifts and abilities. I have been amazed at how sometimes those people are those that happen to simple be in my every day life. And understand that if you have a particular challenge or struggle in your life whether physical or mental you have the ability to touch so many lives with your story. In a way that some of us never will be able to. Because we all have our battles. God always has a purpose and a plan for our lives irregardless of how easy or hard our lives may be and He can speak to someone through us whenever He so desires. So use what He's given you and give someone a little ray of sunshine today whether it be by your own hand or by what the Lord has blessed you with.

"...Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more." Luke 12:48 (ESV) 

The Busy Life

Hi everyone!
So I completely space last week's post and this week will be short and sweet...maybe. ;) I am currently sitting on the porch swing enjoying a rare evening of solace for this month. October always ends up being the busiest month out of the year for me it seems. It is the month where I pick up a seasonal job driving horse drawn carriages in the the little town of Nashville, IN in addition to my full time job. Plus I've gotten more involved in my church and in other areas of my life. And I have to admit it has become a little overwhelming at times. I try to cram so much into my schedule it seems I have rarely had an evening at home to just breath. Now I enjoy being busy and there is a certain element of challenge that comes with it that I like, but what I am realizing is, not only is rest necessary it is essential. As I  have been running to and fro for the past few weeks I have noticed aspects of my spiritual life struggling. I have become more stressed, a little less patient and somewhat burned out towards life. I have been neglecting certain things such as time with God and I believe some of the things He is wanting me to work towards. Also I feel as if I have been neglecting others. I have not been giving them my best as far as listening and being there for them because my mind is off into the next day's tasks.
I believe through all of this God is showing me the importance of prioritizing. What is to be truly important in my life. It is good to be busy don't get me wrong but what is productive I think is the question to be asked. Are we merely just doing busy work running back and forth or are we actually getting the things He wants accomplished? Often times I think when we are in the mindset of what all we have to get done we have a tendency to simply just focus on getting it over with instead of enjoying it in the moment. What person could God be bringing to us that needs someone to listen to them, what opportunity to we have to minister in our tasks, what attitude to we have towards these tasks, are we doing them just to put a notch in our belt? Ouch, but I have to say it because I can be guilty of it. What attitude do we need to show for the world to see in the midst of our busy schedule?
In the busy times of our life I believe it is extremely crucial we examine all that we are doing against God's microscope. Now obviously there are things that have to be accomplished and we simply cannot just "cut out". But if certain things are causing a serious detriment to our spiritual life and walk with Christ then perhaps we need to consider things carefully and prioritize. We still need our quiet time with Him to be rejuvenated and refilled with His Word. Nothing can come out of empty cup.
When I step back from  the craziness and say this specific time is for Him and to simply enjoy His presence I am encouraged and given new strength. And my eyes are opened to the things that He wants me to actually be focusing on....like the business plans and critters I have been neglecting lately. I am continually reminded that my business plan has the opportunity to become such a ministry tool and I need to stop putting it off. Also I think sometimes when we are so busy, at least for me, my focus can easily become all about me and what "I" need to get done and what "I" need to accomplish when I think the real question should be what can "we do together Lord, to further Your Kingdom today"? My first and foremost goal should be doing things for God's glory not my own. How I am I furthering His Kingdom, how am being His witness?
I am reminded of a phrase I learned in college that has stuck with me and it is "quality over quantity". It is not about how much stuff you are into. It is about the quality of what you are doing. Are you so busy that you are not able to give something your very best?...think about that because that something might really need it. Someone might really need you and you are off into the next day already. Be busy at life but be slow enough to see what God is really trying to show you. Write out your schedule and weight the pros and cons. Pray about it and ask God for His guidance and what needs to change.
Because I don't know about you but I don't want to get to the end of the road and have a list five miles long all the things I managed to juggle but all the hearts and details that I missed that desperately needed my attention.   

Exposing Evil and Pursuing Truth

Hi everyone,
This past week has been a whirlwind of events in both my world and in the world as a whole. Unfortunately there has been tragedy, and unwelcoming news and let's just say that this week has reminded me of how messed up and broken this world can be. I have to admit it kinda of wore on me this week. I am a person who wants to fix everything. I want to say and do things that makes everything all right. I want to take away people's pain and sorrow. I want to think the best of everyone and that no one could be a possible tool for horrible things. I want to basically ignore the evil in this world. Now you may say that's not a bad thing...I mean, who wants to dwell on evil right? But I realized something. What are our usual chain of reactions to evil? Often we go through stages of shock, maybe denial, then anger and sorrow. The end result is often and hopefully justice, the resolve to make things better somehow or and try and prevent it from happening again. Now let me tell you what I am noticing now days. Whenever evil decides to rear its ugly head often the end result is to start laying blame and pointing fingers at one another and other people irregardless if they were even involved. Suddenly everyone is the cause of this wrong doing and the real problem is buried in the stones being thrown at one another until we forget about the real issue. And then we move on until the next act of evil comes and we start the cycle all over again.
The problem I believe here is that we don't want to dig for the real root of evil, we just want to start throwing stones at our neighbors and call it a day. Sometimes I think we are afraid of what we might really find. And yes we are hurt and confused and don't know what to think sometimes, but that doesn't give us the right to start swinging. I'll be the first to confess when something bad happens I can get angry, tunnel vision and want to spout off the first thoughts and theories that come to my mind, but that is not always the best option. I have decided I really want to fight evil in the most effective way possible. Instead of fighting it haphazardly and eventually moving on and forgetting. I want to dig deep into the heart of the problem, look beyond the surface and get real answers. Sometimes acts of evil are blatant and some have many layers of deception that are hard to uncover. The Bible says the devil "prowls" around like a lion seeking who he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8 ESV) Evil is sneaky. And we as lights in this dark world and speakers of the truth must make sure we are seeking the real truth and not settling for what everyone wants to tell us. This does not mean we beat around the bush and not call a spade a spade when it is obviously clear, but we need to expose evil in the right way. We are called to be the light that exposes the darkness (Eph. 5:8-11) We base our truth upon solid evidence and reasoning. We light up evil for what it really is and we shun it. Now does this mean we take it out on all the people who are innocent? No. Does this mean that we shut down everybody else's freedom? No. Does this mean that we place ourselves as the beacon of all of knowledge and decision making? No. We simply stand for what we know to be true and we don't back down. The devil loves it when we fight as families, friends, communities, and nations. Because while we are doing that we are scuffling dirt over the real root of the problem. He wants us to be so distracted at condemning each other that we don't shut down the real evil doers and evil doings in this world. We don't dig into the real evidence because we are so blinded by our personal preferences and biases that we can't see anything else. And we are all guilty of it in some shape or form. Ultimately only God knows the whole truth and is the final judge, but we are called to stand up against the evil in this world even if it is hard. Even if it exposes some pretty ugly things and even if it hurts a little because in the end I think it will be far worse if we turn a blind eye. Of course we shouldn't seek to find evil in everything and everyone and let that color our interactions with people that we know or meet. It is important to see and find the good in people and situations while still being wise. We must be wise and discerning in a evil world but be standing in what is true and just ourselves. It isn't about condemning everyone because we all have sinned.

Now as far as our other responses to evil one of the things that I always want to do is help people any way I can. Sometimes there are things that we just cannot fix, but I bet if we really think about it, we can come up with ways to combat evil. We can pray, we can use our talents and abilities to help those hurting, we can speak out when we know the truth, we can be a shoulder to cry on and to help carry the burden with, and we can be a ray of light in a dark situation. Being righteously angry about something is not wrong, but if we just run always run our mouths and do nothing about it to try and make a positive difference then it is utterly useless. Hurting people in the face of evil don't always want someone ranting, they want someone to stand alongside them. We have to face the real issues head on and refuse to back down until the truth is brought forth, irregardless of our egos and personal gain.
There unfortunately with always be evil in this world until Christ comes back but we still must do our part to not let evil take more and more ground. And it starts with us saying enough is enough and asking God to show us the real issues we need to face. The courage to search for the real truth and illuminate the darkness. The strength to realize our feelings will get bruised from time to time and it's OK and to but down the stones in our hands and reach out with and open hand instead. Evil hates compassion and it hates people who strive for the truth no matter what. If we start coming together and fighting the enemy within us, we will be able to stand up against anything. So let's do some truth seeking and crush evil.

"...Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and not city or house divided against itself with stand." Matthew 12:25 ESV

Eyes on the Horizon

Hello everyone!
So I have an interesting experience to share about my horse Sam. I take Sam a couple times a week to the barn I work at to ride and we often go outside as he and I both prefer the fresh air and open spaces. Sam is truly my horse based off so many different traits and ways that I could go on and on about but something I have learned about him is unlike any horse I have know before. When we go outside we are able to go quite a ways from the barn down the road and to different pastures. He is always eager to go out and explore however, whenever I try to bring him back he is reluctant. When it is time for us to head back to the barn and when most horses would be eager to get back he does everything in his power to turn around and continue to travel away from the barn. Now from a realistic horse person's perspective, he has no sort of bad experiences that would taint his memory of being at the barn or riding inside the arena. He simply tries constantly to turn back around instead of going back "home". I have experimented a little to see where exactly he is determined to go and I truly believe if I just let him he would continue on his merry way to who knows where! If he hits the end of fence he stares off as seeing new lands he wants to explore on the horizon. Now before this gets to sounding too much like a sappy movie...yet again a seemingly insignificant moment has turned into a spiritual insight for me.
     It makes me think of two opposing horses: the one who has the tendency to be barn sour and wants to turn and head back as soon as possible. The barn is a place of comfort, where food is and where close buddies are at. They really hate to leave unless pushed to and are the first to head back at a high rate of speed if allowed. Then there are the other horses, (honestly I can only think I my horse at this point right now :D) who are completely content and actually motivated to leave the barn and stay out as long as you please. It is not until you turn them back that they seem to lose that spark and reluctantly shuffle back looking for a way to get out of it and keep exploring. I think we can identify these as two different kinds of people as well. You have your people who as soon as you ask them to go out away from familiar, the usual routine, and where all their friends and family are they really dislike it and at the first opportunity are cutting out and headed back home. The safe creature comforts found there are far more welcoming than exploring new places beyond their everyday circles. Then you have those people who are eager to go out and explore news places and things; they like home just fine but would rather continue discovering what could be in store around the next bend.
Now I am not writing this to say that enjoying being at home and finding solace there is a bad thing. Home is my safe haven from a hectic crazy world and I am glad I can go there to get away from it all. However I feel that God has been showing me something through this example my horse has given me. Sometimes I have a tendency to be to attached to home. I can be barn sour. God may be calling me to go out and do something or spend time somewhere else and I am waiting around for the first available moment where I can turn and hoof it back home. It is so much easier to shut the door on the chaotic world and live in your own little space of solitude and shelter. Now you definitely need time to rest and recharge but if you are like me sometimes I  have a tendency to make that excuse a little often. It is not that I don't like going out or spending time with people and doing things, it is just some things can be intimidating, or seem daunting when you are not exactly a social butterfly that everyone gravitates to. :) And sometimes God does call you to go out of your comfort zone and do things that aren't exactly your area of expertise. He doesn't want you so wrapped up with the comforts your safe place that you miss out on all the adventure He has in store for you. Maybe he is calling you to leave the "barn" and go to a new place and meet new people, join a new study group at your church, get involved in your community, go on a mission's trip, volunteer at a shelter, or have lunch with a co-worker that looks like they need someone to talk to. Maybe it is going to require some late nights and long days and maybe a weekend or two, but I think what we will discover when we do those things is more than we thought possible. When I go out and do things more, I find myself enjoying life more, becoming more confident, making new friends and feeling more satisfied when I do go home to recharge. I also feel at peace knowing I did something for others and that in turn makes me feel better about myself. I begin to want to do it more and more and home becomes less and less the hideaway hole of security. Instead it becomes more of the place I can recharge and prepare to head back out again when I really need it. Don't let the "barn" become your crutch. Don't be so quick to turn tail, instead like my little Sam be determined to explore. God wants us to seek out new horizons, new places and adventures that He has for us. He wants us to take the quiet time with Him at home and use it out in the world. And when we do we will begin to really enjoy it. We will find ourselves wanting to head back early less and less. We will keep on wanting to press forward and give Him all that we have. When we hit a "fence" we will keep on wanting to go farther and He will use us if we are only willing. But we have to be ready to go. We have to be ready to turn our back on the creature comforts at times and go the extra mile even if it is a little scary at times. Sam and I always have our challenges from time to time outside. Some things are intimidating but our desire to reach what's around the bend becomes greater than that fear and worry. Our desire to follow Christ wherever He takes us will become greater than our fear of rejection, failure, and challenges. After all this isn't our real home anyway. What a shame if we just hid behind our closed doors for the rest of our lives and missed out on all the excitement that lies out there. Yes, it can be a cruel world out there and we do have to be smart and careful. But if none of us who know the truth go out and share and shine that truth then what good are we doing? How are we showing we care if we have our eye on the door the whole time? Or more importantly what does it say about us if we don't care? This has been a conviction for me and I hope that sharing it can help other people as well. Let us be the ones who use our homes as places of rest and shelter for ourselves and others when really needed but let use the abilities that God has given us to "ride" out to the new adventures ahead, eager to keep going and reach the goal our Father has given us, no turning back. (Phil. 3:14) Keep your eyes on the horizon.

"I have decided to follow Jesus; not turning back, no turning back."