You're safe in God's care wherever you are

By Sandra Justad

Sarah loves animals, but she especially loves horses. She'd always thought that they were beautiful, powerful, graceful, and obedient, but when she began riding, she found out that they are gentle, too.

Once she was out with her uncle and her dad in the woods not far from where she lived. The men were walking, while she was riding a green horse named Sunny. (I don't mean that Sunny was green in color, but that he was only partly trained.) When they came to a log that had fallen across the path, Sarah thought it would be fun to jump over it, and Sunny seemed willing. He ran right up to the log, but then suddenly stopped. Not Sarah! She went flying over the log and landed on the other side. She wasn't hurt, but she was frightened. She didn't understand why Sunny had stopped like that.

When her dad got to her, he reassured her that she was always safe in God's care. Her Father-Mother God was with her and was taking care of both her and Sunny. Dad said, "You need to love Sunny, even though you fell off. Neither of you has ever jumped over a log before. Sunny probably wasn't sure what to do, so he stopped. You can be grateful that he hasn't run away and is waiting for you." So Sarah loved Sunny for at least trying to jump. She also loved him for waiting. But she was sure she didn't want to ride anymore!

Sarah regained confidence on the ride back to the barn.

Then her uncle said, "You have to get back on, Sarah. I know it seems hard, but you'll overcome the fear by getting back on now and riding home. If you don't get on now, it will be much harder later." He meant well, but Sarah wasn't sure she could do it.

Her dad knew that perfect love chases away all fear (see I John 4:18). That was the kind of love that Jesus expressed. The Bible never shows him afraid, even when he found himself in tough spots. He always looked to his Father-Mother God to know what to do.

Dad told Sarah, "If you love riding in the woods, and if you love Sunny, then you have enough love to get back on and ride." Then he reminded her, "God's love is the only power." She felt this comforting love as Dad lifted her onto the saddle. Her uncle was right—Sarah regained confidence on the ride back to the barn.

After conquering this fear, Sarah felt more strongly God's presence when she rode. Especially if she rode alone. When her mom or dad would ask, "Where did you ride today?" she would answer, "We went here," or "we went there." When they asked, "Who is we ? " she replied, "God and Sunny and me." She knew God was with her wherever she went.

Sarah was so grateful for the freedom her mom and dad gave her. They didn't talk much about it, but she knew they prayed when she was off on her special riding adventures.

One sparkling morning, Sarah was particularly grateful for her parents' prayers. She was also grateful to be able to feel God's presence all by herself. As she rode down the trail, two men approached. At first, this didn't seem unusual, because she often met walkers or other horseback riders. As the men came closer, however, something warned her that they wanted to stop her. Before Sarah could even wonder what to do, a thought from God came to her. She should give Sunny a special signal.

The men had separated and were standing on either side of the trail. She stopped her horse just before she reached them. Then she gathered Sunny under her with a slight pressure on the reins. This was his "get ready" signal. Before the men could grab the bridle, she and Sunny bolted between them at full gallop and escaped safely down the trail.

What kept Sarah safe keeps all God's children safe. Mom or Dad cannot always be nearby. But our heavenly Father-Mother God is always with us. Even if you don't know your biological mom or dad, God is here for you. Even if the world has been unkind to you, God is caring for you. He gives all of us the wisdom to make good choices and the intelligence to stay away from harm. He gives us good ideas to use wherever we are, and His powerful love keeps us safe.

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Testimony of Healing

Healing following a fall of more than fifty feet

May 29, 2000

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