Devotionals

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Staring into the empty stall, the well-spring of emotions dammed-up inside burst forth, causing her to sink to her knees in a flood of tears and sobs. How could she have been so thoughtless? The dirty straw that had cushioned her fall revealed the truth of her neglect and weeks of selfishness. He was gone. She remembered his beauty and the gleam in his eyes every time she had walked into the barn. The memory of his musty odor as he leaned his neck into her embrace brought another flurry of tears. She could almost hear his nickering as though he was searching for the always-promised treat.

Opening her eyes, she looked once again at the rancid mess before her. She had abandoned her best friend and left him to lie in his own filthy waste. He had given her his heart; asking for nothing in return but her love. Now he was gone and it was her fault. “Oh Starburst, I’m so sorry,” she cried into the emptiness before her. She stood and picked up the rake standing, forgotten, in the corner of the stall. Slowly she began cleaning. As she cleaned, memories of their time together came flooding back.

When Grandpa had first given her the colt she had spent every waking moment with him. She loved being with him. The stall was always spotless. It was her main excuse to her parents… “But I have to clean his stall. Grandpa says I have to take care of him. I will do my homework as soon as I am done.” It had given them hours of togetherness.

The noise behind her was expected but she did not allow it to interrupt her task. He waited while the rake worked its way across the floor with another purchase clasped in its tines. “Is he ok?” she whispered in a small voice, finally acknowledging his presence.

“Yes, he will be fine. He’s over at Grandpa’s.”

“Grandpa will never forgive me. He told me that taking care of him was my responsibility. It was payment for his love. I wanted to be with him. It wasn’t work at all.”

“You did spend a lot of time with him.”

“I don’t know what I was thinking. How could I abandon him? I got so wrapped up with that ATV of Johnny’s that I simply forgot. All I could think about was that stupid TOY! I’ll never be able to face Grandpa again. I blew it.”

“Yes you did but I think you will be surprised. Why don’t you finish cleaning the stall and then go over and talk to him. Let him know how you feel. I am sure he will let you see Starburst. I think Grandpa still feels that taking care of Starburst is your job. He probably has a lot of work waiting for you. Go and show him how much you love him and Starburst and I think they will both find a way to forgive you.”

Closing Prayer:

Forgiving Lord: How often we seem to find ourselves like Peter, face-to-face with our own mistakes. Most times it is our loved ones feeling the brunt of these blunders. When we take time to look around at the mess we have caused, our grief can be overwhelming. Hope is lost. Situations seem irreparable. There is nothing to do but return to our life’s activities. We go through the motions wondering how to move on and what to do. And then you break into our lives once again. We see you standing on the shoreline watching, loving, and guiding. You lead us back onto the pathway of righteousness just as you have done before. You provide an opportunity to repent. You give forgiveness. Through your love we are made whole. And then the task... You take our repentance and shape a new objective, goal, plan, and ministry. You bring our focus outward and give us purpose. You call us into readiness and teach us to feed, tend, and feed those of your flock you are sending our way. Dearest Lord, we pray that you help us minimize our mistakes and focus our attention on providing the world a pathway to your love. You are the Alpha and Omega in all things and may our lives be living examples of the praise you deserve. “Hear (our prayer), O Lord, and be gracious to (us and we) will give thanks to you forever.” Amen.

This devotional inspired by John 21:1-19

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