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Written by Christian Cowgirl
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When I was eight years old, I begged my parents night and day for a horse. A neighbor had given me a ride on the back of her palomino Quarter Horse and I was addicted. One day I was shocked to see my father come home with a silver dappled Shetland pony. I couldn’t believe it was for me. Her name was Cricket and she came with a beautiful black leather saddle with a red stitched seat and black tapadero-covered stirrups.
 I was in heaven - until the first time I tried to ride Cricket. She bucked me off and took off running through several neighbor’s yards into a vacant field. That’s the way most of my riding sessions on Cricket went.
I wasn’t the only one that had gotten a new pony. It turns out that Cricket had been sold in a matching pair, with a gelding named Jumper. My dad and a neighbor had gone together and bought the two ponies. The girls who received Jumper were friends of mine. Mary and Jane had not really been interested in horses, so they were also quite surprised when their father came home with a pony for them. Jumper was much better trained than Cricket and I watched enviously as my friends rode their pony around the field behind their house.
That’s the first time I remember being discontent with what I had and wanting what someone else had. It wasn’t so much that I wanted Jumper and didn’t want Mary and Jane to have a pony. I just couldn’t understand why they got the better pony. I was the one that was horse-crazy, but I ended up with a pony that I couldn’t ride.
It’s been a long time since I received that pony. I wish I could say that I've learned to always be content with what I have, but unfortunately I still struggle with discontent at times. Our house is modest by American standards, around 2,000 s.f. On the days when I wish I had a bigger, nicer house, I remember the homeless in our country or people in poor countries that would consider our house a mansion and I am thankful for the home I do have.
The problem continues to creep up here and there in various forms - a better horse, a better barn – with an indoor arena, a more beautiful saddle, a new guitar, a nicer car, etc. etc.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12, 13
I think the secret of being content, that Paul refers to in Philippians 4, is trusting that God will provide what you truly need, not necessarily what you want and that there are more important things in this life than material possessions. It’s also important to be thankful for what we have. Every good and perfect gift comes from our Father in heaven. It must hurt Him, when we do not appreciate the things He has given to us.
 P.S. The following year we moved to a small farm. One of our new neighbors had a horse farm. He had a wonderfully trained pony named Dolly. We traded Cricket and a pig for Dolly and my neighbor taught me how to ride. Dolly was far better than Jumper! (I think I was about 11 in this photo)
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Last Updated on Monday, 25 May 2009 21:23 |
