It’s rare for him to lie down.

Especially in the winter.

It was our fault naturally. We couldn’t provide a good enough place for him to live. We had no idea what we were doing. If we were better at this, he’d be lying down resting and cozy all the time. Just like on the movies. But, we were inadequate and couldn’t provide him a place to be restful and cozy so therefore, he’d just always be cold.

And standing. Swaying on his feet at naptime rather than lying down for a full rest.

It was different today though.

Today when I pulled in the driveway, he was down. Not quite flat but curled up, cozy. I stopped the truck to survey. Was he hurt? Had he injured himself? Why was he down? He never lies down…

“Gracie have you seen Beau lay down recently?”

She knows his habits well.

“No, not really. Except for a couple weeks ago.”

What had happened a couple weeks ago?

“I put Charlotte in with him for the day.”

There I had it. Today, circling him, fussing over him, were his loved ones. Close by, within reach and keeping him company.

He wasn’t hurt. He wasn’t sick. He was simply comfortable in the presence of those who knew him best. He was among them and this allowed him to be completely content and relaxed enough to lie down.

He was happy. He was at ease. He was 100% himself.

He was with his people.

Er, his mares.

We learned today, our Beau, our sweet and mellow boy pony, is most at ease when he has his friends right next to him. It’s not a matter of mating, he’s gelded. But they are like him and they like him. They all know one another. And in their company, he is completely relaxed.

He is himself when he is with them.

He is loved.

And he is accepted.

They are his people.

So when I answer the phone and it’s my husband and he wants to know where we’re at, I tell him. We’re at the grocery store.

Just pulling in, I’ll call you back when I finish okay?

As I finish up, I remember to call him and dial as I pull out, heading toward my next errand.

“I thought you were at the Safeway.”

It’d just been a short stop, I explained. How was your day?

“Oh. Well, I’m here in the parking lot. I just thought I’d drop in and see you guys on my way back to the office.”

I’m miles down the road by now. The store I’m heading to closes in an hour. It’s my last stop of the day.

Why didn’t you tell me?

I’m frustrated, wishing I could’ve seen him.

I didn’t know. You need to communicate these things to me. We would’ve stayed if we would’ve known. How come you just didn’t tell me?

He didn’t think of it. We were at the store, he was just going to stop in for a minute. Just to see us. Give us a hug. Say hi.

Irritation fills the cab of my truck.

“Well, it’s okay. I’ll see you tonight.”

I scolded him a bit.

He had to get back to work.

The I love yous and see you tonights fall flat.

And as I drive, it hit me.

He just wanted to be cozy for a minute.

Wanted to take a moment out of the drain of the work day and be with the ones who love him most. To soak up the feeling of being loved… being accepted…and to let it refresh him for the rest of his day. He wanted to curl his spirit right up for a minute and be relaxed, known…

…himself.

He just wanted to be with his people.

There are people that we know so well, they are only their very true self when they are with us.

And what about our Lord? Doesn’t God know us just like that? Even better than that?

Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

We can curl up and be cozy in that kind of being known.

We are known.

I am known.

We are His people.

Our farrier told us a horse doesn’t spend a lot of time on the ground in winter. He said when you see a horse lying down for a nap, you can bet that horse is completely relaxed and comfortable.

That was our pony today, curled up right in the middle of the hay pile and his two little girlfriends. He was so comfortable, his big little body was plunked right down, at feed time even, and he let his horsey lips tickle the snowy ground while his big brown eyelids drooped. He was sheer comfort. He was perfect content. He was himself. He was whole.

It’s not our inadequacy that keeps him from lying down. It’s not our lack of a perfectly sized heated facility. It’s not our lack of horsemanship that keeps him on his feet come naptime.

He just needs to be with those who know him best.

I call my husband back, tell him I’m sorry I forgot to call him earlier.

I’ve removed all irritation from my voice.

I was too rushed. I really would’ve loved to have seen him.

“It’s okay. I should’ve let you know. I guess I just wanted to see you guys.”

Over the cell we patch it up.

The I love you is sincere, all shortness is gone.

I’m sorry I scolded you, I tell him.

“It’s okay babe.”

My big strong husband forgives me, assures me he’s not upset.

Says he should’ve told me he was heading our way, coming to where we were.

He just didn’t think of it.

He was just going to stop in for a minute.

He just wanted to see his people.

 

God sets the lonely In families…Psalm 68:6

© Cassandra Rankin, This Crazy Little Farm