Dad and Toby got along pretty well for the most part, but they did have their differences. Even so, they produced some tasty vegetables together. One year they even spent Dad’s vacation damming up the creek so my brother Scott and I would have a pond to swim in.
Pretty good, considering Toby only understood four words: “Giddyup”, “Gee”, “Haw”, and “Whoa.”
As you may have guessed, Toby was a horse, and a mighty fine one too. A 16-hand, 1,200-pound dapple gray, slightly swayback gelding. Not all that big by plow horse standards but huge to a little boy. Dad got him from Red Eagle, and I’m guessing here, but it was probably Red who taught Toby his Gee from his Haw, and his Giddy-up from his Whoa.
Just in case there are some who are not into the plow horse vernacular, “Giddy-up” is go, “Gee” is right, “Haw” is left and “Whoa” is, well … whoa. But just knowing the commands by no means qualifies one to work a plow horse, and it’s probably best that I not go on too much about it, because you’d soon discover that my only experience was watching Dad.
I’ve thought a bit about Dad and Toby’s relationship. Toby would just as soon have eaten or stepped on the tender plants in our garden, but since Dad knew the importance of each one, he expertly guided Toby between the narrow rows by voice commands, or when those weren’t enough, with a firm tug on the reins that Dad kept around his neck.
You know, there have been times in my life when I’ve behaved like Toby. I’ve trampled on the feelings of others, ignored my responsibilities, and selfishly devoured tasty morsels of anger, envy, jealousy and fear. And I paid no attention to the gentle guidance of “This is the way, walk ye in it,” “Love your neighbor as yourself,” and “Blessed are the peacemakers.” So understandably there have been times when firm adjustments to my decision-making ability have been required. And like Toby, I have always had a patient and gentle master to get me back on the right path.
Jesus, the master Christian, taught the way of salvation, the way that is not limited but includes every aspect of our present life experience. The healing and saving power of Christ is ever-present, always ready and always able to heal and save us from whatever trial we face. Because Jesus told us in Matthew, “I am with you always,” and Mary Baker Eddy explains in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” “…that is, not only in all time, but in all ways and conditions.”
Looking back I can see that my life experience has given me continual opportunities to make adjustments, to be a more obedient follower of Christ. To be fairer, more loving, more forgiving, more trusting, more compassionate and more humble … all very worthwhile qualities.
And just like Dad and Toby, when I follow the master, Christ Jesus, that is, when I live according to his nature, there naturally follows an abundant harvest of his blessings.
Chris Shoaf lives in Salisbury and loves playing with his grandchildren