Tag: #finchfarmgypsies

Darkness

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Even living out in the county, it’s not very often that we have nights that are truly dark.  Our horizons are always lit by the surrounding towns.  But, as the days get progressively shorter in the march toward the winter solstice, and the clouds of winter hang low and thick we had several nights this week where the darkness felt dense and heavy. 

I am not a girl who lives for the night. I love being up in the early morning, seeing the sun rise and the world wake up.  So, this week, as the darkness settled around us in a palpable way, I could feel myself reacting to it.  I couldn’t see the horses at their feeder from the fence the darkness was so thick and black.  The light from the barn couldn’t reach beyond the doorway, and the air was thick and heavy with the fog that was settling in. As humans we rely so much on our visual sense and certainly, for me, it was an uncomfortable, even stressful feeling to be so cut off from the world around me.  Normally I love night feed; it’s quiet and peaceful.  But on this night, I definitely breathed a sigh of relief walking into the lights of the house, with the fireplace warm and waiting.  It felt so good to come out of the heaviness of the darkness, back into the light.

This feeling got me thinking about the final verse from the carols and lessons concert we went to this past Sunday. It is from my absolute favourite book and it is probably one of my favourites because of how clearly it defines who and what Jesus was and is. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.  John 1:1-5

“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”  As we draw nearer to the day on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus, on one of the darkest nights of the year, I hold this verse to my heart.  Jesus is the light that the darkness can not overcome, no matter how oppressive, or heavy that darkness we are walking through may be.  The relief that our souls experience when we draw closer to his light and love is as real as the relief I felt walking into the house that evening.  For some people this year, Christmas won’t be a time of joyful celebration. They are alone, experiencing their first holiday without a loved one… darkness is hanging over them in, wrapping itself around them.  But I know, just as he has done for me those times in my life when I have been lost in the dark, Jesus will always be life.  The life that is the light of all mankind.  I pray that, this holiday season, he is light and life for you.

God bless

Meredith

Journeys: From Lemon to Lemonade

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Sometimes in life things happen that break your heart; but the older I get, the more I have come to learn to trust that God will make lemonade from your lemons.

I love surrounding myself with people who are experts; especially in my life as a horse breeder, trainer and rider. Maybe it’s because I got back into riding as an older adult, but my thirst to learn more about how and why never seems to diminish. I have been very blessed to live in a community and have a friend base that fuels and feeds that drive for knowledge. But, have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t realize you were limiting yourself unconsciously?

I was very blessed to have the opportunity to have Monster ridden by a young woman who had competed for Canada as a junior dressage rider and had ridden at the Grand Prix level. Of course I jumped at that opportunity. Her experience and skill as a rider, saw him win the Adequan All Breed award for Level Two Dressage in 2023. But her success ultimately ended up with me saying things to myself like: “I’ll never be that good.” “I’m just holding him back.” I’ll just break them and she can ride them.” “Maybe I should sell him while he’s worth something.” I limited myself and my growth as a rider because I was working with an expert. But God had other plans for Monster and I.

This July circumstances conspired such that I ended up taking over the ride on Monster. As sad as it was to see that part of our journey come to an end, it was without a doubt the greatest thing that happened to me, and my relationship with Monster. Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely a setback for him. Instead of showing Level Three as had been the plan, the best I could do was a Level Two. While I had never actually ridden a level two test, let alone in competition, I signed myself up for a gold show, Second Level dressage test in August. Then the opportunity to attend a clinic with the incredible Grand Prix coach, internationally renowed Paula Kierkegaard presented itself.

Our dressage tests in August were abysmal, with our highest score being at 56%, but we did it and I learned so much from the judges comments and videos taken by friends. I stayed the course, attended another clinic with Paula in October and watched myself on video monthly. I understand and can feel so much more what correct riding is thanks to my persistence. Monster has never looked or felt better and he and I are learning together; things like Piaffe and Flying Lead Changes. And, not only are we learning – we are both having so much fun doing it. When I go into the paddock, Monster always comes up to me asking to come in to work. He’s been known to bang on the fence or the gate to make sure I know he’s ready to come in and work and our relationship and bond is so much deeper.

God didn’t allow me to limit myself. He took matters out of my hands and put them in his and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Today Monster and I had two beautiful, smooth lead changes. My heart is so full. Where are the places in your life where you can see God’s hand? Maybe the things you think you’ve lost are actually the beginning of a journey to a better you. Sometimes you just have to trust the process – you can’t make lemonade without squashing a few lemons.

God bless.

Meredith