The Faith of a Child

I confess, I have no time for the "name it and claim it" preachers that you often see on television. However, that does not mean that I am not a man of faith. After all the bible does say "Ye have not because ye ask not."

I was a mere child of six when my family moved to the farm on Concord Road. As I looked at the wide open fields and meadows I could think of nothing else but riding in a posse with Roy Rogers or fighting Indians with Gene Audrey or just being a kid and having fun with my horse like Joey did with Fury or like Ken did with Flilcka. However, there was one huge problem, I didn't have a horse and my Father gave me no inclination that he was willing to buy me one. I decided that the best thing to do would be simply to trust in God and pray for one. I do remember the prayer that I prayed. I prayed for a pony, bridle and saddle. I did not see that as being selfish. I thought, "what good is a pony without a bridle and saddle." I remember praying with that matter of fact confidence that only a child of six could have.

Now this part of the story you may have trouble believing. The very next morning I woke up and went to the window to look out and there was a pony grazing in our yard. I remember running outside to get acquainted with my new pony but also to look for the bridle and saddle. It was about then that my Father came out to burst my bubble. "Son this pony is not ours" he said, "He belongs to someone else and we need to find his owner." After a few phone calls the owner showed up. It was Mr. Eubanks. He was the man from which my Father had recently purchased the farm. After a somewhat lengthily discussion I heard Mr. Eubanks say, "Well you know old Dan was born on this farm and this has always been home to him. I could load him up and take him away but I am afraid that he would just return. I see that you have two boys, how would it be if I just let you keep him here?" My Father thought for a moment and said that he reckoned that would be alright. Then I heard Mr. Eubanks say "I guess I might as well give you the bridle and saddle 'cause I won't be needing it anymore."

Old Dan from that moment on became my pony. Time nor space would permit me to tell you about all the adventures that Old Dan and I had together. Old Dan died about the time I graduated high school. By that time I was into girls and cars. My days of chasing outlaws and Indians had come to an end.

At age 57 it would be silly of me to even suggest that God heard and answered the prayer of a six year old boy. Well, you can believe what you wish. I know what I believe.

lcr

p.s. The picture is not a picture of Old Dan. As far as I know there are no pictures of him.