"I'll take that!"

 "I'll take that!" says Cassidy.

Cassidy.
My determined 18 year old daughter.
My favorite youngest child.
My horseback riding champion.

I stalled for years to put this kid on a real horse. When she was 3 she began asking for horses. I tried every idea to satisfy her horse requests. Stuffed horses, rocking horses, plastic horse play sets, the American Girl Doll horse, horse sheets and pillows, horse pj's and clothes, horse books, movies and pictures. It worked....for a while. Little did I know this only fueled her desire for the real thing.

When she was 9, I thought I had found it... the closest thing to a real horse. A life size stuffed horse the had reins and sound effects. She could sit on it and ride it with real sounding whinnies and gallops. What more could she want??? This was it.. this would stop all the real horse requests. Well...she thought it was cute for a few hours but it was soon tossed into the closet with all the other fake horse stuff. It was then I knew she needed the real thing. She began real riding lessons that year.

Cassidy has been showing horses now for 6 years. She has ridden many horses-school horses and owned/leased horses. I noticed that being on a horse or around a horse made her light up. A girl and her horse is a special thing to watch. The horse becomes more than a pet to her..they are like good "horse" friends. BHFF's - Best Horse Friends Forever. She really gets to know them and loves them.

It's 8 years later now... Cassidy and her horse Eddy have had their best year ever. They really clicked this year to be able to qualify for the medals final horse show that was this past weekend. This would be her last show (at least for awhile, because she has moved out and has started college).

After every ride in a horse show class, her trainers Sandi Carlton and Eve Newton (Windsong Stable - Battle Creek) give her a quick recap of the ride. The trainer will usually start with some encouragement and then add something for her to improve. Whether it is compliments or whether it is reminders, challenges or corrections...Cassidy's response to her trainer is usually always the same... "I'll take that!"

It was a great finale show for Cassidy, Eddy and her trainers too. She was champion in 1 medal class and placed high in 2 others.  Lots of ribbons, medals, flowers and prizes. Who wouldn't take that?!? Especially this kid, who in her past years would come home with maybe 1 or 2 last place ribbons. I've noticed something in Cassidy over the last few years. For her...It's not about the ribbons - it's all about the ride.

She really does "take it" and she takes it all well. The getting bucked off and breaking your arm days, the horse is lame so you can't ride days and the no ribbon days... to this...the blue ribbon champion days!  Her goal is not ribbons - it's taking it ALL- the good and bad...taking and applying the instructions she is given to be a better rider and in the mean time she is blessed with the experience and blessed with becoming great friends with her horse and others.

What is our goal?... the ribbons or the ride?
How will we "take it"... with what happens in life today?
   Where ever life has us...God wants to hear, "I'll take it!"
          ...because...
   He is just waiting to bless us for taking his word and applying it to all of life - good and bad.

               It's not about the ribbons - it IS all about the ride!

"Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle but the victory rests with the Lord." 
Proverbs 21: 21, 31