My Date With Slick

I had a date tonight.

He was tall, strong, protective, and took me to see the most beautiful view I've seen in a long time.

His friends call him Slick.

Oh, did I mention? He's a horse. I was so excited...it's been quite a few years since I had been riding. A good friend has been going for a few weeks now, and I finally found some time to join her! I got to the farm...and they introduced me to Slick. We saddled up and headed off...with no guide. They assured us the horses pretty much knew their way through the woods, and if not, they would be along in a bit to find us. Sounds assuring, huh? So, Forbes and Slick carried us into the woods and up the mountain. It was so beautiful out...a cool 75 degrees...the sun was starting to sink in the sky...and nothing but us, our horses, and nature.

I realized pretty quickly that Slick had a mind of his own. He had no desire to follow my lead...nor my desired pace. Needless to say, it was a slow start. We had lots of distractions due to the fact that Slick really didn't want to do anything but take his good old time. I'm quite positive that both Forbes and Slick knew that there wasn't a guide with us. They knew they could practically get away with anything.

We started up the mountain and were trying to lead them to the right. They went left. We eventully made it to the top and came upon a huge clearing. They are trained...and I use the word 'trained' lightly...to get to the top, go down the path around the bottom, and run back to the clearing. This would be the moment that Slick decided the last thing he wanted to do was run. He wanted to eat the grass and flowers in front of him. I guess his free time out of the barn was too much to pass up.

I reluctantly got him to the path and we started back to the point where he was supposed to run. I kicked him hard and he took off. For about 5 feet. Slick just didn't want to do what I wanted him to. He was grumpy and digging his feet in. Literally. After a few times around that path...Slick had had enough. Then the guides arrived with another group, and proceeded to inform me that Slick was indeed grumpy and is known for biting and kicking other horses.

Ten minutes later...he bit Forbes.

On the way down the mountain...Forbes was ready to get away from us. So it was just me, Slick, and the deer crossing our path. It was so peaceful and relaxing...to be taking in all of the beauty around me. Being so grateful for God's gifts that surrounded me. Everything was so simple. At that moment I was more convinced that this was where I needed to be. Away from the city...away from the business of it all. Somewhere that life was simple. Somewhere that I could take in true nature everyday. And all of a sudden...the peace I had been longing for came.

Just like Slick, I had been having a rough few days. There were definitely some people I wanted to 'bite,' but I got through it. With lots of time in the Good Book, heartfelt prayers from friends, and some alone time with Slick. By the end of our date, I was serenading him with some Jesus.

I think he even smiled.