Horse Conversion

I'm going to do this fast so if there is any confusion or need for clarification just comment on it and we'll do it when more time is available!

I've been breaking horses longer than any other "job" I've ever done.  I started ole Frosty back when I was 11 years old and since then every single summer I've started at least 1 horse.  I've rode some of my own horses but mostly outside horses, or customer horses.  Anyone who has agreed to train on someone else's horse knows that you get a wide variety of animals.  You can get anything from really nice gentle ones to ride and some just down right nasty, they act like they don't want to be there!  But according to Australian horse trainer Neil Davies, any horse can be trained and all horses are "good" horses.  Some just take more time than others.

My wife and I have been catechists for about 5 years.  I first started teaching Confirmation preparation to seniors.  Then the age lowered as we began doing it together.  Looking back and trying to lead these kids to Christ was a lot like training horses.  Some kids wanted to be there and soaked up everything they heard about almighty God and his Church.  Some kids didn't care and really didn't want to be there.  In evangelization I couldn't write these kids off like I do a nasty horse, so I can focus more on the "good" horses to train.  God wants to draw near to all people.  Some just take more time.

It was uplifting to see some kids grow so much in the faith.  We began to see that the conversion of these teens was not our doing but the Holy Spirit's.  It was discouraging to see the ones walk away from the faith, but again we realized that this evangelization is the work of the Holy Spirit. 

In today's first reading from Acts 8: 26-40 it is the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch.  The commentary in my bible said that this is so supernatural beginning with the prompting of an angel, the instruction of the Holy Spirit, and then Philip's strange removal from the scene.  It reminded me that conversion is totally the work of the Holy Spirit, but we still have to play our role.  Philip allowed himself to be used by God to evangelize this foreigner!  Just like God wants to use all of us.  But we cannot think that WE are the ones to cause conversion, when we do this it is and EPIC FAIL.  Usually people get turned off by Jesus freaks and get a bad taste in their mouth about the Catholic Faith and God. 

So what?  As men I encourage you to take up the task of leading your family to Christ.  Pray and fast for your kids and your spouse.  Even if conversion isn't seen right away, don't be discouraged and know that this work is that of the Holy Spirit.  But you still have to do your part.  Pray, Go to Mass, Confess your sins and know apart from God your work is nothing. 

Like Neil Davies style of starting colts we need to see everyone in our life.  As a "good" person, some just need more time and attention (prayers) than others.  Take courage, be a Man and let the Holy Spirit use you.

Peace y'all