Horse Tradin

Most horse trades include a discussion in which people make agreements that provide both sides with advantages. Well, the Moomaws come from a long line of horse traders starting with Tim’s Grandpa Leo. Stories were told of how he traded 16 horses to buy his first car and shrewd trading was how is accumulated most of his best stock for his rodeo string. The picture below is of Dynamite whom Leo traded a team of work horses for in 1919 or so the story goes.

When money was to be made, Wade, (Tim’s dad) was also known for his regular horse trading. Tim and his sisters recall many a time that they would be working with a horse and get it trained and just how they liked it, and Wade would have a buyer come along that he would sell it to. Although this seems a little too pragmatic to those of us who get attached to our animals, it was how business was done in the day. After all you can’t make a living on ranching unless you are willing to trade or sell your critters for the right price.

Trading or selling things can definitely benefit both sides of a deal, and that brings me to my recent purchase of Dunny. After several years of working with my crazy lil mare, we decided that it was time for Lena to find a new home and in little or no time, we sold her. Then I started dreaming of what I wanted in a new horse. The top 5 must haves were 1. No buck 2. Easy to saddle, 3. Easy to shoe, 4. Easy to catch, and 5. Easygoing. Tim’s sister Marla had just the horse, so we made the deal and I brought Dunny home. No horse is perfect, but this horse satisfied my top 5 must haves and a little more. Although the trade was money for a horse, we both benefited from the deal.

This summer I could jump on Dunny and off we would go early in the morning before it got hot, and it was glorious. I didn’t have to worry that he would throw a fit, or any of that nonsense and I gained a new sense of freedom and joy. Dunny is a quirky little fella, but I think it was a good trade.

Life is full of opportunities to trade things in and enjoy the benefits of that decision especially considering God’s sovereignty and power. I often find myself struggling with worry as this world continues to unravel and then I remember, trade it in Jill, trust God. When I fear how to deal with difficult situations, I remember, trade it in Jill, put your hope in God. I can always find something in my thinking that I need to trade in and keep in the right perspective to have perfect peace and rest.

After Tim and I had had Covid this summer, there were some very valuable lessons that we learned. First and foremost, we were thankful for God’s healing. Secondly, we feel fortunate to have friends and family that prayed and cared for us when were down. Lastly, we trust that God had design in our suffering. I am not a fan of suffering, but if God can have purpose and use it to his glory, I trust in Him. Tim and I both feel blessed instead of being fearful because of this experience. Trading in our fear has liberated Tim and I as we continue to trust in God’s perfect will in our lives.

There so many things that we should consider trading in, like bitterness, envy, anger and all the ugly emotions that Satan loves for us to dwell on. Instead, we hold on to these emotions sometimes and cannot seem to let go. As we approach a new year in 2022, I encourage you to take stock in what it is you need to trade in. Recognize there are some feelings we just need to trade off for the better emotion that brings light and life to your heart and mind. This will definitely require some prayer and help from the Holy Spirit, but we can rely on Christ to renew our minds and help us find joy and peace in Him instead. Sounds like a great trade to me. You might end up with the better end of the deal - like getting a quirky little gelding named Dunny.