Running in Freedom

“On the count of three, I want all of you to shout, clap, and cheer as loudly as you possibly can!" Carissa instructed. 

As a newer volunteer still learning about horses, I stood there, perplexed. Wouldn’t shouting spook the horse in the middle of the arena? Clearly, Carissa knows what she is doing, but her instructions felt like a disastrous plan! 

Freedom is definitely one of the more sensitive horses at Freedom Reigns Ranch, and he was the one in the middle of the crowd of children she was ministering to at the time. Everyone waited on bated breath for her cue. What would happen? I wondered, as I am sure others did as well. I was nervous for Freedom, but I wholeheartedly trusted Carissa.

Audrey- an incredible horsewoman, mentor, and volunteer at the ranch- was in the arena with Freedom as his trainer for this demonstration. She had been working with him that day, and they had an established a relationship of trust. After all of the children had circled around the outside of the arena, Carissa gave her cue. 

A cheerful roar erupted from the crowd of children, and as you would imagine, it was loud!! I watched Freedom, who, I am told, used to spook in situations just like this. I was amazed at what I witnessed. He perked his ears and then immediately turned to calmly walk toward Audrey for reassurance. As a prey animal, he did not follow his natural instincts to run. Instead, he chose to connect to his source of safety. 

When we are faced with adversity or even a scary unknown, we also have a choice in how we respond. We can allow fear to take control, or we can choose to lean in to the One who is our source of safety. Perhaps you received news this week that has shaken you, or maybe you have a decision to make that is riddled with uncertainty. I know there are probably some reading this who are in a season of waiting, a season of wilderness, or even a prolonged season of suffering. 

My friend, God sees you and is inviting you to grow in faith and choose to connect with Him. He is right there with you.

When Freedom heard the crowd’s roar, he perked his ears in acknowledgment of what startled him, but ultimately chose to connect instead of run. You are invited to do the same today. We can fully see and acknowledge the adversity and choose to respond to it in faith by coming closer to God.

As I stood in the barn aisle, in disbelief at how Freedom responded to the startling noises, I began to sob as Carissa gave the kids a message about leaning into God when they feel afraid. I could see their wheels turning and their hearts being impacted by her words. It was so beautiful!

What if Freedom had bolted instead of choosing to trust Audrey? Would he have been any safer after leaping over the arena fencing and vanishing into the woods? Running in fear never leads to safety- it only steals the chance to experience something greater. When we let fear drive us, we miss out on the miracles God has in store. But when we stand firm, trust, and lean into Him, we get to witness His power at work in our lives!

Where are you running when fear sets in? 

I pray today that you would intentionally try to be more like Freedom. Okay, you don’t need to perk your ears to a strange sound, but if you are in a tough season or you experience adversity today, turn to your source of safety - Jesus! He is inviting you to draw near today and I pray that you would. I know that He will meet you wherever you are at today and provide exactly what you need! He is our Good Shepard. 

“The Lord is my Shepard, I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” 

Psalm 23: 1-4 (NLT). 

When God led me to The Ranch, I was in a season of multiple BIG unknowns. I was grieving a beloved parent’s passing and life just felt really, really unfamiliar at the time. I was unsure of so much, yet, when I was at the ranch, I knew that I was exactly where He wanted me to be.

“I had sought the Lord during that uneasy season, and He provided me with exactly what I needed! He gave me friends at the ranch who love Jesus. He gave me the best ranch family I didn’t know I needed. He gave me a meaningful position where I could make an impact in His kingdom. And He so kindly led me somewhere where I could finally pursue my passion for horses- something I had never had the opportunity to do before.”

Volunteering at Freedom Reigns Ranch has filled places in my heart I didn’t know needed to be filled. I had no idea my heart needed this- but God did! That is why it’s so good to connect with Him- because He always knows just what we need even better than we do!

I came to the ranch to serve God and Freedom Reigns Ranch’s mission, but what I didn’t anticipate was how much the ranch would minister to me as well. I have seen many children arrive at the ranch for sessions who seem uneasy, lost, broken, and riddled with anxiety only to be transformed through the love of Jesus, great mentorship, and the help of a horse. 

I am convinced that it Is impossible to witness the miracles God pulls off through this ministry on a daily basis and not be immensely changed by it. 

God’s love changes people. And that is what we see happening here in the lives of precious children- and horses- at Freedom Reigns Ranch. 

It’s been an honor to witness and it’s changed me forever.”

-Written by Kristen Farland, Volunteer