I can still hear the jarring ring of that telephone as it broke through the quietness of an ordinary afternoon.

I can still hear my mother’s voice as she spoke.

And I can still hear the edge in her voice as she said those words,

“How is he?”

Yes, it’s been more than 50 years but I remember that day when my brother was kicked in the head by a horse like it was yesterday.

Fear suddenly wrapped its arms around my nine year old body and held me fast in it’s sickening hold.

My eleven year old brother had always loved horses and used to walk to his friend’s farm not too far from where we lived.

He’d often take an apple or two from home to feed to his favorite horse.

But one day

everything changed when the horse suddenly reared up

knocking my brother to the ground.

My parents quickly drove to the hospital where my brother had been taken.

I sat on my bed in my pink bedroom

and did the only thing I knew to do.

I prayed.

In simple words with tears streaming down my face

I prayed and prayed that my brother would be alright.

That night well past dark my parents came home.

The doctors had stitched up my brothers cheek and gave a good report.

He was lucky, they said.

Even at nine, I knew that it was more than luck.

God had heard my prayer.

My brother was going to be ok.

I dropped off to sleep that evening whispering words of thanks.

It was a time that my family and I drew close together

realizing what might have been.

Life is filled with unexpected moments.

We wonder why some escape without injury and others lose their lives.

This side of heaven we will never understand

but God knows all

and we can trust Him.

It is all too easy to worry about everything

and become paralyzed with fear of what may happen

but that is not the essence of living.

Instead the call is to know God and to live each day

trusting His care and provision.

Corrie Ten Boom said “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

Let’s live each day strengthened by the One Who loves us and gave His Life for us

and let Him have all our unanswered questions and doubts.

My brother went on to accomplish many things in his lifetime

but he always kept his distance from the horses.

I gradually learned to pray about everything

and most of all

to trust.

Do you find yourself worried at times

imagining the worse?

Cast all your anxieties and worries on Him.

He will carry you through everything.

 

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.