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Mucking Stalls

As part of my duties as the farm hand for the Timothy Hill Children's Ranch on Long Island, NY, I head to the barn early every morning to feed all the critters, break the ice again in all the buckets and troughs, and always muck out the stalls. I have a couple of the boys at the Ranch that love the barn and the horses. They would spend every waking hour there with me if they could. They love the riding, but like a true horse lover they love everything about the barn. These 2 boys are some of the more wounded spirits here. We spend those early morning hours working and talking. Even though they regularly cause and get into trouble elsewhere, they never give me a minute's trouble when they are at the barn. It is truly their best therapy.

This morning they were brushing and playing with the 7 mo. old stud colt named Marshall. I was cleaning the stalls and thinking as always and it dawned on me that I was glorifying God in that lowly job! God is really using me in this of all places!

I've always known that the Almighty God always used the lowly, the unknown, the meek, the most unlikely, and the wounded to accomplish his purposes. It was never the kings, the wealthy, the prominent that He chose. We know that, but it never occurs to us that as we go about our daily duties, that it applies to us. No matter what we are called to do, or where He places us, He is using us to accomplish his purposes.

Leaving home was one of the toughest things I've ever done. I cried and I railed, I bargained and I tried to offer God other options! Like He really needs my help. But in my heart I knew that He was calling me elsewhere, and ultimately submitted and obeyed. Do I miss the farm on Old County House Rd. that I love so much? You bet! Do I miss my precious Anna Grace and Alice and Holly and her family? Absolutely! Do I miss all of you, Bible Study Fellowship, the Pegram Church family and my precious ladies' class? Without a doubt!

But as I shoveled horse manure this morning in the cold with those 2 precious boys at my side, I knew that for whatever reason and for whatever time frame God determines, I am where He wants me doing what He wants me to do. What will the outcome be? When will the seeds that are planted in the lives of these boys see fruit? How long will this season of my life be? I don't know. But that doesn't matter, God, the Father, does and I trust Him with my life and all that I have.

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

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