(Please read all the way to the end)
A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-
Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly
parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they
had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge
Pine, which topped the hill behind the
farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man
and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young
siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city
hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called
them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had
taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty
mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in
the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each
year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and
contentment at day's end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the
old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She
is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals
from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for
yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but
expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes,
scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of
new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he
drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her
ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing
else, just love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his
wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness
stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in
sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their
cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the
peace of the love that filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed
the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.
None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry
flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror
and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he
raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were
roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing
to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from
calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other,
they wept at their loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing
ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their
grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as
they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to
the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man
turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as
his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red
bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has
spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength
and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in
times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks
to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most
precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy
hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and
withered hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep
snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the
hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the
old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the
incredible beauty before them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught
up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine,
and it was aglow with heavenly candles.
And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened
like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree
such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife
tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.
Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her
forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist
hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas
gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was
the entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her
muzzle and had led the horses through it.
Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led
them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals
were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back
at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them
as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that
were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily
against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety
beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces
of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not
disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb,
but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her
gift---
Because of love. Only Because of love.
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And
again the peace of love filled their hearts.
This is a true story.
Willy Eagle
This is an Inspirational message sent to a
small group of people.
My hope is that it will make your day just
a little bit better.
Keep reading
A small request!
Cancer is a strange cell.
Going along for years in remission and
than one day it pops it head up again.
Pray for the day there will be a
permanent cure.
A SMALL REQUEST...
93% won't forward, but I'm Sure You
Will........
A small request....Just one line
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer.
Amen
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