Wednesday, October 22, 2014

A Naughty Horse

In spite of my careful preparations, Sunday did not go as planned and I turned into a Momster! By the time I actually did get to church, I was thoroughly disgusted with myself and  frustrated by weaknesses that I have been trying to overcome.

Frankly, I was also wondering why God hasn't given up on me yet. Well, we go to church for a reason and I got my answer.

The story was related how as a boy, Joseph Fielding Smith, had a horse.

She was smart.

No matter what he did, she could get out of her stall. Not only would she escape, she would often turn on the water spigot and leave it running.
Sometimes in the middle of the night he would wake to hear water running and have to get up and go turn it off and put her back.
In time, his father suggested that the horse was smarter than he. So his father decided to lock her in himself and before the two of them had made it to the house, the horse was by their side! She then ambled off to turn on the water.

Most of us would say, get rid of the horse. But Joseph's mother was a licensed midwife and was often called upon to travel at all hours and in all kinds of weather to deliver babies. They knew that they could depend upon this strong horse to take her where she needed to be. She was gentle enough that Joseph could hitch her up, no matter the time or the weather to do her duty.

Her naughtiness was tempered with some very important strengths.

Isn't that how we are? At times, I can't help but wonder if I will ever be able to overcome my weaknesses, particularly on days when I have been just plain naughty.
But on Sunday, I was reminded that I have strengths that are just as strong and also important to my Maker.

He isn't going to give up on me because He sees those good qualities, the very qualities He gave me.

He doesn't condone my naughtiness, but He does know that with His patient love I can overcome them.

4 comments:

  1. What wonderful insight to this story. I often wonder myself if with all my flaws if I'm still worth the trouble, but then I am reminded that I am still His daughter and he loves me. Thank you Cheryl for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Aimee! That's why I had to share! It made me feel so much better on a tough day!

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  2. I love this. It helps me when I start feeling totally broken. I remember I am not ALL "bad", but I just have a few "naughty" things to work on. Thank you Cheryl.

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