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I think of myself as an "intentional reader." When I get to the end of a book, I want to take something away besides the pure enjoyment of reading it. For example, I love to read Christian fiction because the authors' characters are people I can identify with, and what they go through in the story lines are often experiences or situations I've had in my own life. I learn from their relationship issues, decisions, and struggles. Oftentimes, their view of God changes during the course of the story, as mine does as I encounter different situations in my own life. A takeaway might be a Bible verse I can memorize to help me or a new perspective about God's character. 

It obviously varies from book to book, so I decided it would be fun to blog about some of the books I've read and share what "treasures" I've taken from them. I hope the blogs will be beneficial to you, whether they expose you to a new author you haven't read before, help you get through a challenging situation in your life, or show you something new about God.

​Please feel free to leave a comment. If you want to recommend a book or author you like, even better! I'd love to hear from you! Also, if you like the blog and would like to receive it whenever I post a new one, please let me know in the "Contact Me" box and I'll notify you via email.

Blessings to you!
Lori


"They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future,
so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." 

I Timothy 6:19
–20

Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances

11/28/2020

1 Comment

 
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Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances doesn’t seem like a typical read for me. If you’re an animal lover as I am, you might be willing to give it a chance; if you’re not, you probably feel like it would be a waste of your time. Please hear me—it’s worth every minute you take to read it!

Written by Rachel Anne Ridge, this is the story of a struggling family of five who find a wounded, dirty, and frightened donkey on their driveway one evening. They end up giving him a home when no one claims him, but what they come to find out is they need him far more than he needs them. Who would think a donkey would be a life-changer?

Due to the circumstances of her life at that time, Rachel finds herself going through an identity crisis, admitting that “somehow, in the busyness of the kids’ activities, work, cooking, paying the bills, and trying to juggle it all, I’d stopped paying attention to my spiritual life. Prayer had become little more than accusations and pleas for help, addressed to a God somewhere up there. Time spent listening for Him, or reading His Word, was nonexistent. Why bother? Focusing on myself, my problems, and my solutions, I had let the connection with my Maker go cold.”

Her experience is not unique. We all get busy with obligations and stresses and, oftentimes God gets pushed away or neglected in the process. He is no longer our priority, so we face our challenges alone, making things so much harder on ourselves. How God draws Rachel back to Him is distinctive—He gives her family Flash, but his story isn’t about a lost donkey. It’s about “heart change. It’s about transformation. It’s about God showing up and making us new. Lost donkeys. God’s purposes. A date with destiny.”

Rachel states, through Flash’s example, they “learned how to live abundantly in our circumstances, with gratitude and joy. He reminded us to keep breaking down fences to find our passion, and we learned to run with horses and find satisfaction through serving others with love. He taught us to wear our donkey hearts on our sleeves and open up to the world around us. He reminded us to not be afraid of change . . . to let go of the past and embrace possibilities. His donkey trails pointed out that our plodding was really going somewhere after all. He showed us how to make the most of the days we are given. Such priceless lessons.”

Throughout the book, Rachel shares verses that are meaningful to her in each step of this journey, such as “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you (Psalm 32:8),” “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9),” and “Let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17).” These verses are worth memorizing to make them our own.

God uses Flash to teach Rachel about choosing gratitude, overcoming insecurities, savoring the not knowing, perseverance, faith as a lifestyle, embracing change, and the pursuit of excellence. One point she makes that especially touched me is in reference to Ephesians 4:2: “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love,” explaining, “We are imperfect creatures, all of us. What a shame to waste our time on trivial differences and self-made rules rather than savoring forgiveness and love and enjoying the richness they bring. We should take someone’s hand. We should look our loved ones in the eyes. We should hold a gaze and say the words ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I was wrong’ and ‘I forgive you.’ We should. We must. And we must also say the words ‘I love you’ while we still can. This time may be the last chance we’ll ever have, but we won’t know it until it is gone. Don’t miss it.”

I’ve lived long enough to know God doesn’t waste anything in our lives. He allows situations, circumstances, people, and even donkeys to teach us and draw us closer to Him. The lessons in Rachel’s story are valuable, and as I wrestle with my own issues, I’m thankful for her transparency and honesty—I can identify with so many of her struggles. I have a feeling her wisdom and experiences will stay with me for a very long time.

Blessings to you!
Lori 

1 Comment
Julie Passman
11/28/2020 08:27:19 pm

Lori- I look forward to your blog each time. The lessons you outline are truly messages from The Holy Spirit- inspiring messages which speak straight to the heart. In my humble opinion, you have definitely found your calling.

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