~Update on Sheika

Well I can finally say she did something. As in something she wasn't supposed to do!
  I was riding Sheika a week or two back (I always do all the groungwork first) and asked her to go into the canter and she started into few little lurching buck/hops. Not very big and not much but I wasn't expecting it and it caught me a bit off guard. I was riding two handed at the time and have a habit of NOT grabbing the horn so I ended up riding it out with just the reins! So the next time I had Marcy lunge me on Sheika so that I could hold onto the horn with one hand and the reins with the other. Annnnddd she did it again. Except it was a big bigger and higher this time. I was really glad for that horn and my right arm was super sore for several days.
 Back to Sheika. I don't think she is mad or anything like that. Something was scaring her when ever I asked her to go into the canter. Quite frankly though it is very small bucking compared to most young horses. The second time she did it we worked a bunch at the trot and then tried again for the canter. I decided I wasn't quitting that day till I got her successfully into the canter. And we did!
The last time I rode her, I think it was Monday, she did A-W-E-S-O-M-E. I did all the groundwork tacked up first and decided to lunge her a bunch at the canter before I rode so she would be completely prepared for when I ask her. So I rode her around in the arena, walk, trot, and I got to a place where I could feel she was ready to go on, I kissed, and she went right into the canter with no hesitation! I was ecstatic! We did several laps that way then stopped for a breather and went the other way. Jess even got it on video! So I feel like that might have been a bit of a break-through, but I won't be surprised if there are more bucks to come. Clinton always says you have to ride the bucks out of them. I would prefer that she never had to buck but I can't expect perfection from her, Because I'm not perfect! Hopefully I'll get some pictures riding her soon.

~A banquet for none

There He sat. Alone, except for the few attendants that stood ready at the edge of the banquet hall. The immense table was filled to overflowing with an unending supply of food; yet no one was there to enjoy it. Still the King waited; eyes on the door anticipating the arrival of a weary subject come to be filled at His table. But no one came. After a while the doors opened and in stepped a page. He walked very humbly over to where the King sat, but could hardly bring himself to look at His Lord.
  "You have news?" the King asked quickly.
The young page wet his lips before replying.
  "Your Majesty...they said they have no need of your banquet." he stopped seeming uncomfortable to go on.
  "They say they are quite content with scraps from the garbage."
The King sat there making no reply. Taking this as his dismissal, the page bowed low and quickly left.
  A single tear slid down the King's face. Then another and another till sobs wracked His whole body.
  One by one the attendants slipped out of the hall, not being able to bear seeing their Lord so hurt and rejected. The last thing they heard as the doors swung shut  was the agonizing plea of 
  "Oh my children! You don't know what I have to offer!"



I have to admit, too often I am content with the scraps and leave my Lord waiting alone at the table. I think "Well I read a few verses and I'll try to remember something from it through out the day."
And God is just like "I have so much to offer you! Joy overflowing, love beyond measure, and peace that passes your understanding. But you have to come to me for it."
Too often I am too lazy or think that I don't have enough time right now. I don't have enough time NOT to! I don't realize how much it truly hurts God when I don't come to Him. He doesn't mourn for Himself, He mourns for what I am missing out on. We can't afford not spending time with Him.
I have to remind myself that its not the quantity of time, its the quality of time!
Is spending time with God your number 1 priority?
Do you do it out of desire or demand?