Lynn Baber… for love of God and horses

It was only Monday, but by early-afternoon I was fried. After a weekend of trying to figure out how to find and use copyright free images online, I had searched, copied, registered, signed-up, and still had not one picture to show for all my efforts.

I found a mesmerizing photo of a horse backed up by heavenly light; received permission from the photographer to use the work which was not copyright free… then was unable to find the image again to try and download it. I searched his site without success.

The last straw

Just as I had surrendered to a particular image website, I got an email from Linda Walker who is going to produce our first tiny little video. Her email listed the places I would need to go to find images, music, and sound effects. All of it required me to do just what I had spent the weekend attempting with abject failure. The last straw was a referral to that same site that had just bested me moments before.

I don’t get off-center easily. It is highly unusual for me to feel like I’ve been put into a bind, rushed to do something I am unprepared to do. Yesterday was like that. I sent an email back to Linda and begged off for the day. I went out and called Bo into the barn. I needed therapy.

Yesterday's therapist

Mistakes used well become lessons

After my time in the saddle on a glorious winter afternoon I recognized why I had become fried. It was, of course, entirely my own fault. No one required me to burn the candle on Saturday and Sunday. That was my own idea.

No one gave me a deadline of becoming adept at image retrieval by today. That was my own idea.

Yes, this is a skill I will have to master in the near term. However, my Boss does not give me work that He does not prepare me to do. He was probably watching me all weekend, shaking His head, waiting for me to figure it out.

The whole thing was my idea. That sums it up.

Finding peace

Have you ever seen a toddler run around so fast you know the only way they are going to stop is when their little fanny hits the dirt? Small children don’t have the coordination to do speed sprints gracefully. I don’t either.

Jesus taught His disciples one last lesson on the shore of Galilee the third and final time He appeared to them after the Resurrection. The seven fishermen had failed dismally to catch any fish after their long, cold, fruitless night on the water.

At dawn Jesus told them where, when, and how to let down their nets. The result was an amazing catch of 153 large fish. So great a catch and yet the net held fast. Jesus even had a hot breakfast ready when they got to shore.

The moral? We fail when we rely solely on our own experience and strength. If we do what we are asked, when we are asked, and how we are asked by God – our success if assured – and there will be a hot meal to sustain us.

I’m back in harness today. It’s a beautiful day. May you all be blessed.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. (John 14:27)

Visit Linda Walker at www.LWVideoproductions.com

Photo taken by Karen Smith, www.topshelfphotos.com