Joy fills the morning light. What does that mean? What is my story? How do I begin?
As the dew falls on the grass, yes by this time of year a little frost, I sit in the dark and wait for the morning light. The beautiful sunrise falls on my back. I think about the Joy of the morning light. God has created the seasons and fall has some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. As the light begins to flow through the window I wonder what the day will bring. Our attitude and our heart will determine if we wake with joy in the morning.
Joy and gratitude are words, but are they really feelings? I feel joy when I watch a rider smile and laugh as he/she is astride one of our beautiful horses. I feel joy when a donor calls and asks for my story and there amidst the story is the gratitude for all that ASPIRE delivers to our riders and participants. I feel joy as Cody and Pixie visit the seniors and they open their hearts to enjoy a moment with these little horses. I am grateful for the beauty that all of our horses possess and the joy they bring out in all of us.
ASPIRE has completed its 16th year of service to the Cedar Valley. This year we will have served more than 1,400 individuals. Gratitude and joy for the hard work to make this possible. Gratitude and joy as I watch our new horses slide into the new way of life. Gratitude and joy as I watch some of our riders grow up and become volunteers. Gratitude and Joy as I watch them tell their story of their experiences. Gratitude to the wonderful volunteers as they come and dedicate their time to make a difference. Gratitude to our wonderful parents as they watch their children sit astride a large animal. Gratitude and Joy to all of the community for their support. Groups that help us from time to time or support in the form of financial donations.
Joy fills the morning light as I think about my week in Cleveland and National Conference and the wonderful people and workshops. Watching and feeling the true passion, inspiration and sacrifices that everyone of these people work to make a difference.
Joy fills the morning light as I am blessed with a wonderful God that has my back. I am blessed with beautiful grandchildren. I am blessed with a wonderful board. I am blessed with beautiful horses that enjoy giving back. I am blessed with wonderful riders and parents. I am blessed with a wonderful community that continues to support ASPIRE. I am blessed with a God and his solid foundation that will see us through the challenges of life. I am blessed beyond measure to have a beautiful place to capture the moments of beauty in sunrises, sunsets, deer running, horses running, cats looking for their daily pets, a dog that tests me with lots of energy.
Joy fills the morning light and it fills our cups with love, passion, compassion and lots of thinking and desiring for the next step to move forward and see what an amazing year 2016 brings to our lives and all that will encompass. Someone once said that the hardships or challenges we go through is God's way of opening new doors for a new season, new changes, new light.
Rest assured that 2016 will be an amazing year and the joy will fill the morning light.
