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Every morning we start with breakfast, some light chores and then a devotional with the team and ranch staff before the main work of the day begins. Today's devotional came from Psalm 13, where it is a plea to God asking how long will we go through hard times or how long will be deal with internal struggles. This was especially meaningful to me today because it was a good reminder that being in a walk with Christ is not about putting on a brave face and grinning through every adversity. God calls us to be truly honest and reliant on him, God doesn't want us going through life with a fake peace or manufactured joy, I believe God would much rather have us come authentically before Him so He can be with us and feel His unmatched grace and compassion. God's gift of compassion, patience, and presence is exemplified in the equine therapist on the ranch, Javier. Hearing him speak about his journey learning these amazing skills as well as how he applies his craft to minister to the youth of this community was truly inspiring. We even got a demonstration of how he looks to brings healing and nourishment to the body, mind, and spirit with these horses. One thing that struck me is that the practise seems relatively simple, just get on a horse and walk around. Of course, this does not do justice to the skill and nuance of his trade, but it was really cool to see how orienting yourself around this animal (sitting forward, backward, lying down, standing up) and just going for a walk with a horse can have transformative benefits. The shape and pace of the horse transmits a healing rhythm and stimulation that realigns the rider in a healthier pattern of movement and being. Seeing the horse gently and gracefully work was yet another reminder of how God walks alongside us. If we can orient ourselves around him, even if it's belly-first slouched on top of Him, that a transformation of healing can occur, and we may find ourselves sooner rather than later standing tall with our hands raised in the air.
