Love That Won't Let Go!

25 years of Hand Holding...

  A friend recently posted a blog about ageing hands and it reminded me of a recent experience while shopping for an anniversary wedding ring.  My husband and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary tomorrow!  I lost my wedding set when my girls were toddlers; I'm quite certain they mistakenly got lost down a sink drain;  I had a habit of leaving the rings at the sink while doing dishes...and they went missing, never to be found and never replaced.  Something so sentimental is not easily replaced and my husband has tirelessly supported many dreams of mine (owning horses again as an adult, having children and giving my children many opportunities that I never had as a child) that it never was a priority to spend the money on a piece of jewellery for myself.

  After a quarter of century together, it just felt time to invest in a ring that identifies and represents our long term commitment to each other.  Because we ranch/farm, I didn't want a large obtuse solitary diamond, but was searching for a ring that was interesting,  wouldn't catch on farm equipment and would fit in a modest budget.  (Since my elder daughter has ventured into global missions, I have been invigorated for causes both local and global). I was delighted to find such a ring in Grande Prairie, but when I set that ring on my hand, I really noticed how my hands have changed in the 25 years:

  The first time we met was on a hand shake at a car dealership. I was recently back in Canada having travelled for a year in Europe and was then shopping for a car.  My husband was the dashing young top sales man of the dealership.  I was immediately taken by this confidant and vibrant young man.       The second time we met was months later at a dance club.  He asked my hand for a dance and I couldn't let him go! We danced all night! 6 months later we held hands at the marriage alter.  25 years later we are still dancing through life:the good times and the difficult.

  Early in our marriage the good Lord grabbed both our hands and hearts; teaching us what sacrificial and redeeming love is. I remember when we first held our son...now 22 years old.  Four years later, a baby girl and two years later an unexpected blessing, another baby girl.  We have held their hands through school, dance lessons, riding lessons, driving lessons (Lord have mercy!), lessons in perseverance and commitments, lessons in love and letting go. I thank God, he never lets go...

   "Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.  And let us not neglect our meeting together as some people do but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." Hebrews 10:23-25

  Let me encourage you today to grab someone's hand and let them know they are deeply loved!

I love you Greg! Thank you for holding my hand through it all...

A Story of Faith

This is Faith, a 2 year old filly my son purchased based on the performance of a half sister, Grace, that he had bought two years ago. Grace, at fours years old has proven to be an extremely athletic and talented mare; although somewhat fragile emotionally or mentally.  When Faith came to us three months ago, we could see the similarities in her floaty gates and athleticism.  Not as big boned as her half sister, Faith was at a skinny and gangly teen age stage of physical development.  We could certainly see that she had all the potential as a quick and agile athlete; as she darted around her new pen scared and unsure of herself.  Many weeks went by without any development in bonding with her new owner.  In fact, after several weeks, my son was unable to catch his new mare and halter her.  In a desperate attempt to be able to handle his mare, he had resorted to roping her around the neck.  This had resulted in an angry and resentful horse.  Every time my son went in the pen she ran away, hid and kicked out at him.  Then, haying season came, and my son did not have time to focus on his sulky mare.  My husband took it upon himself to feed the mare and check on her twice daily.  He talked quietly to her and approached her cautiously.  If she turned to run, he would back away and gave her space.  This became a pattern of a new relationship: My husband whispering sweet sentiments and softly approaching her.  Gradually a trust and bond had formed. The mare allowed my husband to touch her rub her and eventually brush her.

  

Today, due to a recent injury, I had the time to go and visit Faith.  I had to experience for myself the huge development in Faith's trust in human beings. Here is a photo documentary of my experience today: 

First, the approach as I quietly wait.

Second, the inspection - you are injured.

Third, she turns into me to be touch

Fourth, she turns to look at me and she trusts me.