Beauty of a Horse

Beauty of a Horse Our constant helper Copyright Doug Blair, Waterloo ON, 2019

Canal Horse

​The tulips are so sweet today The barge is full for marketplace And children laugh in transit now So soon to see dear Gramma’s face.

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A simple job is what I do Not striving for the grander place I pull with strength and see it through For years now at my constant pace.

I have this chore and give my breath My legs and back to help folks through.

Would never boast or feel the need Just do what I was made to do.

And do it here For here I’m placed The simple beauties fill my cup And at the end when work is done Some faces that I helped look Up.

The Meek Win 2

Psalm 37: 11 – But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

(NIV) Who are these meek? Moses was called the meekest of all men (Numbers 12) yet he was wise and accomplished in all the wisdom of Egypt. You saw the movie! Charlton Heston was amazing at science, mathematics, architecture, construction, horsemanship, warfare, plant science, leadership of men, diplomacy, etc.

Jesus described himself as meek and lowly (Matthew 11). He was clearly an accomplished craftsman, an outdoors-man, a man instantly attractive to rugged fishermen and other tradesmen, a captivating storyteller, a tamer of storms, an attention-getter able to arrest and fascinate large crowds, etc.

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I have heard meekness described as controlled strength, channeled to God-ordained purposes. Imagine a busy farm-yard and a mighty Clydesdale work-horse gently moving his way through numbers of chickens and ducks and harming none with his huge feathered hooves. Talk about controlled strength!

The Beatitudes affirm that the meek will inherit the earth (Matthew 5). The Spirit offers the fruit of meekness (Galatians 5). Isn’t it astonishing that simply because our Lord encourages meek ones to turn the other cheek, they are perceived by the world as weak and somehow un-manly? This seems very far from the truth.

Wesley’s Horse

The little creature knew the roads.

From town to town his Friend Would seek a fitting gathering space To focus on life’s end.

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No burden he, and speaking much To Someone Fatherly Then speaking to assembled crowds Pressed close that they might see.

And some would laugh with rude disdain And some would nod assent And some would cry out for relief As Friend would urge “Repent”.

The creature tethered to one side Heard thoughts rehearsed in mid-day’s ride But now with pressing tears.

And folk came forward to the man Imploring more of Jesus’ Plan.

Been like that now for years.

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A horse would think a paddock green A suiting place for rest But paths of love, with Friend above Had suited this horse best.

Letting Go the Reins

Oh but I have to steer this buggy. Father taught me how. Pretty good at it too. Horses respond to my voice and tug. Going nowhere without my gumption.

A loving Heavenly Father admonishes: In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. (Isaiah 30: 15) Enemies are close at hand! The Kingdom could be lost. Better go back to Egypt for resources. Yeah, they have the troops and the horses.

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Well, what did Egypt really do for you before, Sonny Boy? Remember the slave pits and the humiliation?

Quietness​ – A getting still in the presence of God and his folk. Craning the neck for His loving whisper of courage and guidance. And with the pause, seeing the first of a progression of opening doors. And beginning to walk only then…and then…

Confidence​ – Trusting that His Word is true; His intentions unstoppable; His shepherding entirely sufficient.

Strength ​– God’s strength through Christ, and in the illumination of the Spirit. His, not mine, buoyed up by shaky boasts. Wow, what a trade-off!

Yeah I’ve got it now Lord. Come on up on the buggy seat beside me. Lots of room. Don’t think we’ve ever been this close. Here are the reins. Show me please. This is gonna be good.

Plow Partners That’s old Clem

Pulled this plow for fifteen years

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Never knew a whip’s flick

Took my calls like velvet.

Pulled the rocks

Got us going

Hundred twenty-five acres

Clean for green.

Laid on furrows

Like Sunday’s corduroy.

Blinked kindly

At the hungry gulls

In his wake.

Haunches like steel

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And braced to produce.

‘Til recently.

But we keep at it

Together, just fine.

And the summer meadows

And fragrant breezes

Bring out our colt side

Yet again.

Brotherly business

Old Clem and me.

Rain and shine.

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Wednesday Night…Ten Minutes Out There’s a storm breeze.

We’ve had it with the City.

Stifling hot day.

Concrete and heat wall.

Motoring North of town past Conestogo.

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Blackbirds sail over young corn-rows Surveying the future yield.

Golden wheat reminds of sunnier times Now black edge of storm floats over.

Mother and daughter – Mennonites Show expressions of confidence and delight As they flick the reins And a two-horse team Picks up the pace in the gravel margin.

Our Toyota purrs past these Clopping fellow travelers.

A pleasant wave.

Farm neighbors further on Host the early season flower table.

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Cash jar to one side – all brilliant yellow And violet.

Windows full open now For the breeze and the fragrance.

Mown hay – a father in the cab With rosy-cheeked child on his lap Steering the rig…well, sort of.

A scolding of red-wing Piercing our space, Then left behind Somewhere in the tall grass.

We look for it – the lane Try to remember the advance markings Two tall silos, a long mustard poultry barn.

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Reid Woods Drive Gravel surface, but recently graded And a favourite side lane Where we park, watching goldfinches bob; Crops clapping fragile hands; And pigeons playing musical chairs On the barns opposite.

They also sense the rain’s approach.

Strange Farm TalkÂ

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A word from the prophet Amos...

Chapter 6:12 Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with the oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock.

The prophet speaks out against a community given over to vanity, unjust gain, dissipation, excess and licentious spirituality. They are headed for a fall. Their ventures are as destructive and ill-advised as the laming of a horse on rocky surfaces, or the breaking off of a plow. They see evil as good, and good as evil. The just and virtuous things of God seem odious.

Elsewhere one hears Paul the Apostle speak out against the vice and distraction of Rome: Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

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Is our society dallying at the brink of such a pit of folly? Check out the magazine titles at the till of your grocery store. Check out the silly "human interest' items on the TV news.

Clydes at Play Â

Years ago on a very cold winter's morning with sun bright above, Hilary and I took a drive near Dresden. My wife always enjoys getting near horses.

Brings back the memories of riding at a stable near her family's cottage at Port Stanley.

We came across a farm which included a long and narrow barn, all snow covered and glistening. In the fenced in paddock one Clydesdale of beautiful proportions was looking toward the open door of the barn as if expecting something. Suddenly a second and younger horse burst out of the structure at surprising speed, followed by a third. These two were obviously at play and galloping in every direction in the untouched snow of the yard.

Then back into the building at such a speed that we feared a collision.

Only seconds later they emerged to do it again, breath steaming, snow flying from large feathered hooves, mighty shoulders and haunches shaking

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in the thrilling exercise. On the third circuit the older horse joined in the lark.

Work horses. Large and imposing. Impressed by the novelty of the chill, brilliance and fresh snow. Reduced to the behaviour of adventuresome children at play.

We do the same...and yes, this week we are looking for snow.

Doug Blair thanks you for considering the above writings and their helpful images. blaredub@gmail.com http://momentsmidstream.blogspot.com/

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