Serving Others

Dana's mom turned off the main road onto a dirt driveway. A sign next to the driveway read "Hooves and Wheels." After she parked, Dana and her friend Christie climbed out of the minivan and ran to the big gray horse barn.Mrs. Sikes, the director of the equine therapy program, met them inside. "I'm so glad you two are here! I sure could use help. Would you please groom Starr for the first class?" She pointed to a pony in a nearby stall.Christie brushed Starr's reddish coat until it looked smooth and glossy while Dana scraped dirt and stones from each of the pony's hooves with a hoof pick. Christie placed a blanket and a saddle on Starr's back and tightened the girth under the pony's belly. Dana slipped a bridle over Starr's ears and placed a metal bit into his mouth. She led Starr to the mounting block.At the bottom of a wooden ramp, a girl sat in a wheelchair. A woman stood beside her. "This is Rebecca and her mom," Mrs. Sikes told them. She turned to the mother and daughter. "Dana and Christie are two of our volunteers." Rebecca gave them a shy smile. Dana had Starr stand still beside the platform. Mrs. Sikes pushed the wheelchair up the ramp, then she and another volunteer lifted Rebecca onto Starr's back. Rebecca held onto a leather handle as Starr was led to the riding ring. Christie and another volunteer walked on either side of Rebecca as she followed the riding instructor's directions--hands up, reach for Starr's ears, touch Starr's tail. When the lesson was over, Rebecca gave Starr a big kiss. "I had a great time volunteering today," Dana told her parents at dinner. "Helping people makes me feel good."Mom smiled. "That's because God created us to love Him, and one way we do that is by loving and serving others out of the love He has shown us. Jesus died on the cross for us, and He also served people in His day-to-day life when He was on earth. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and even washed His friends' feet.""It's only out of God's love for us that we are able to love and serve others," Dad added.That night before bed, Dana prayed. "Thank you, Jesus, for loving me first and giving me a fun way to help others!"–Bonnie Carr