"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

YOU GUYS ARE MY BELL AND I HOPE I'M YOURS!

Two Horses
Author Unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing....



Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.



Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, Making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. (Or if we are too heavy and can't find out MOJO yet)

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need..

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....


Good friends are like that... You may not always see them, but you know they are always there..

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours, and remember...


Be kinder than necessary-
Everyone you meet is fighting
Some kind of battle.

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......

And leave the rest to God!

FOR WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT




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39 comments:

Helen said...

This is beautiful ......

Betty said...

Love that story! A great way to start my day.

MadSnapper said...

i have seen the story before and have also met two horses here in our town that do this, one horse has her eyes remeoved due to infection and the other horse wears the bell. i stood and watched them together and balled my eyes out. the new thing here is i never thought about us being the bell for others or for them being our bell. i like that and will try really hard to remember it.

betty said...

amen; that's all I can say about this post of yours Sandie. It is filled with so much wisdom and so much truth. Ringing my bell for you, hearing your bell!

thanks for being such a very special person and friend!

betty

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

At the stables I rode at in high school there was a blind horse named Bruce. i absolutely loved that horse. They actually rode him - he was just so trusting.

The Boston Lady said...

Sandie, what a wonderful story. I had heard a similar one with a horse and a dog with the dog being the guide. Animals instinctually look out for one another - we can always learn from them. Thanks again for another thoughtful post. Ann

The Boston Lady said...

Sandie, what a wonderful story. I had heard a similar one with a horse and a dog with the dog being the guide. Animals instinctually look out for one another - we can always learn from them. Thanks again for another thoughtful post. Ann

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sandie this post brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful story and so true. I want to be a bell to my friends and also to follow their bells. Thank you for always ringing your bell and leading me in the right path. Love you! Linda

Pat MacKenzie said...

What a lovely story and a good lesson for us to remember.

Bev said...

Wonderful story with so much meaning!

Bev said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bev said...

Wonderful story with so much meaning!

Bev said...

Wonderful story with so much meaning!

Bev said...

oops sorry about all those messages...I honestly only did it once...but in the middle of it...computer crashed!

Beansieleigh said...

Love your post today! I've never heard this story before, but I'll always remember it! Thanks for sharing it! ((hugs)) ~tina

Cheri said...

Oh Sandi, I love that story.

Journeyin' Lady... said...

You outdid yourself today with the horse story. I love "You guys are my bell and I hope I'm Yours."

Nancy said...

I am so glad I found your blog....it's lovely and inspiring.....

I have always had horses until three years ago so your story brought tears to my eyes.....I have actually known of cases just as you were talking about....Where a horse would look after a blind one...and yes friends should do the same......Great post........

Hugs and blessings,
Nancy

Susan said...

Awwwww, Sandie. You are definitely my bell!

What a kind and loving owner that person was to allow the blind horse to keep on living, even though he wasn't "perfect." That was a lovely post. Susan

Michaele said...

Oh Chatty, you know this animal lesson is right up my alley. I love it and am going to share it with my girls. There is so much to learn from everyone and everything.

Southhamsdarling said...

Beautiful post today, Chatty. I had never heard the story about the two horses before, but I'm so glad you told us about it. Very touching and, yes, I agree, we must try to go through life, sometimes being the guide horse, and sometimes being that blind horse. Hugs to you.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Kiddo, that was a beautiful and heart warming post!...:)JP

Ginny Hartzler said...

A great story and analogy!!!! You always ring MY bell!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful story - such deep meaning :-)
I'll listen for your bell for sure!

Hugs

Jeanie said...

A wonderful story...and this is such a great reminder-
"Be kinder than necessary-
Everyone you meet is fighting
Some kind of battle".

Bobbie said...

This is just beautiful. I definitely heard the bell!! Thanks!

Unknown said...

sweet post!

Ann said...

it is a beautiful story. I would be honored to have you as my bell

Kim said...

It is a wonderful lesson for all of us. Thank you for the reminder!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I am glad He does not throw us away!

Debbie said...

Sandie, this is beautiful. Right now, I'm feeling like a blind horse. I'm so grateful for my friends, especially the ding-a-lings.

BECKY said...

Hi Sandie! Yes, I'll be your bell, and others who need to hear it. I hope you'll be mine!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

This ia such a beautiful story...
I will listen for a bell.. there must be one ,, somewhere
love
tweedles

Anonymous said...

lovely storey.
Thanks for dropping in on thefeatherednest.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love this story.....and the way you wove it into our lives...so beautiful..

Rebecca Nelson said...

I love this story. Thanks for the gentle reminder that in one way or another we are all struggling...

xoRebecca

Chris Graham said...

What an incredible story.The beauty of the relationship between the two horses is such a wonderful life lesson. I want to listen for the "bell" each and everyday of my life. How amazing that God opened your senses to this "nugget".

Sharon said...

I cannot tell you how much I loved this one. What a precious story about the two horses. Touched my heart - bigtime!

Yes, God leads us just that way.

"Ding, ding." That's just the sound of my friend, Sandie, leading me into truth...

GOD BLESS!

Retired Knitter said...

I have seen this before. I loved it the first time I read it and I loved it now.