I've Fallen Off My Horse
March 19, 2009 
Figuratively, not literally, thank the Lord.
I've been in a bit of a funk the last couple days... Stalled creatively, quiet, introverted.
And I've been thinking about the first time I ever fell off a horse (or pony, Chico, as was the case for me) thanks to Hip Mama sharing how her daughter has fallen off a horse for the first time.
I still remember it like it was yesterday... I was about 5 years old, and my friend and I were cowgirling our ponies around in one of the horse pens. I got a little big for my britches and told her that I wanted to ride outside the pen -- I felt, wrongly, that I was more than capable of controlling my pony outside the confines of a fence -- and asked her to open up the gate for me.
She obliged, and my pony took that opportunity to bolt through the gate and down the hill with me in tow, discombobulated and flailing. I can still see the jumble of reins in front of me, like a puzzle of leather that I just couldn't put together. I can also see the dirt coming up at my face and feel how it went up my nose as I careened to the ground when Chico suddenly decided to stop.
Chico had obviously dealt with over-confident and under-skilled tots like me before.
It was fairly traumatic. I had never been a part of anything so violent or uncontrolled before. And it hurt. And it was embarassing.
It took me quite awhile to get back on.
What I learned from that episode and many to follow, was to get back on the horse, but not to thoughtlessly climb back up there. There was something to learn from those lessons.
So on days like today when I feel like I've sort of hit the dirt again, I like to think that God is trying to get me to step back a bit and listen to what He's trying to teach me. This morning as I went down to feed the horses, the birds were singing -- a song that is never as sweet as it is in the springtime -- and a herd of mule deer trotted down the road in a stream of hazy sunlight. I felt like I was getting a message. Or a blessing. Both. It fed my soul.
Now I'm off to get hay for my horse. No, that's not any sort of metaphor (although I'm sure I could make it into one!) Our horses just need hay.
Look for something lovely today, wherever you are.
Reader Comments (2)
I wanted to let you know that I'm passing a blog award on to you. I've linked to your blog in my post. http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/many-thanks/
Feel free to pass the award on to someone you think deserves it next.
I've enjoyed reading your blog so much and enjoying your beautiful photographs.
Michelle
So very true! I just love how God uses those "everyday" things to let us know He is right there!