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Open The Gate and Release Him


The horses have provided us many many opportunities and memories and learning.  

I had driven up to the horses to meet Michael and to give him a ride home after chores.  I had just reached the hay bale and was scanning below to see where he was when I heard a whistle and then the pounding of hooves.  I knew they were on their way.  Michael would walk to the back of the pasture closest to our house and whistle for Frosty to come.  He would jump on her and they would run like crazy up to the hay.

My favorite times were when they would go for a ride in the school pasture. Both boy and horse biting at the bit to have the gate opened.  Then I would walk up to the top of the hill and watch them ride as fast as they could across the praire.  Both of them happy and free.  I could watch that all day long.  Getting a wave from some tall hill always made the day.

So God has comforted my heart with this picture as he leaves for college today.  His Dad and I and brothers are opening the gate and releasing him.  

It took us a while to get it opened and we know that it has to be opened completely.   We can't put up a barrier or have strings attached to keep him bound or trip him up.

We completely open the door to free our middle son into all that God has for him.

But we will climb to the top of the hill and watch throughout his life as he rides across the plains.  And yes we will treasure that wave from a tall hill and those moments that he comes in for a break.  Knowing with joy that the gate we opened will never be closed.

He is Free!



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