Our Amazing Gift of Mercy

Hi Friends,

I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you about a beautiful, amazing gift we’ve received that has touched me deeply.  You probably remember that not so long ago we lost Joelle’s wonderful little rescue pony, Pippin, in a freak accident.  We’ve all been mourning his loss (we miss him so!), but someone did something beautiful for us, and especially for Joelle, that has been a gift of mercy and hope.

Marlene, who runs Valley View Equine Rescue where we adopted Pippin, called me the other day to tell me how sorry they all were about Pip, and to ask a question.  The question she asked brought tears to my eyes.  She asked if she could give Joelle a gift.  And what a gift it was!

Months before, Marlene had rescued a beautiful, young mare.  A girl who was sweet and willing and eager to learn.  The strange thing was, though, that each time they worked with her, Marlene kept thinking about us.  We didn’t need another horse, so why did we keep coming to mind?  But when she got the tragic news about Pip, she knew, and she acted with a kindness and generosity that fills me with gratitude and wonder.

She asked if it would be okay to give Joelle this sweet, kind mare.  A outright gift that stunned us, and especially Joelle, with its beauty.

So we went down to the ranch, fell in love, and brought home a little grey-and-white cutie.  She and Joelle have been doing so well together - each helping to heal the heart-hurts of the other.  

And each time I see them together, I am amazed at the wonder and love of God, who ...

1. Put us on Marlene’s heart for this mare long before Pip’s horrible accident.  God had planned a gift of mercy for a grieving little girl far in advance.
2. Showed us His love through the kindness and generosity of Marlene who is a beautiful woman with a big, big heart.  We are soooooo grateful for her and thank God for putting her in our lives.
3. Comforted us in our grief, and remembered that Joelle is just 11 after all ... I’m so thankful that in her hurt He brought an unlooked-for, unanticipated gift of hope.

Of course our new mare doesn’t replace Pip.  Nothing can replace our happy, loving Pippin!  But as I watch Joelle work with her new little mare, as I see her leaning close to her face, whispering in her ear, I feel the kiss of God’s mercy and I know that in our pain, in our loss, God does not leave us bereft.  He sends hope; he sends love; he sends people with kind, giving hearts ... and sometimes he sends a sweet grey and white mare ... to remind us that there is still beauty, there is still wonder, even in the midst of tears and loss.

So thank you Marlene, thank you God, and thank you little paint mare who has come as a special gift of mercy to be a special gift of love.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness. 

-- Lamentations 3:22-24 --