“With A Little Help From Our Friends”
By D. S. Mitchell
Facebook Post
The following story was posted on my Facebook page. I thought I had heard the story; or something similar in the past, but I’m not sure. Anyway, I really liked the message. The author is listed as unknown. I liked it so much that I thought it was worth sharing with Calamity News and Politics readers. Just remember, none of us are perfect, we all need a little help from someone at some point. The holidays are coming and I’m going to challenge you ‘to be someone’s bell.’
Up The Road
Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse you quickly realize he is blind. It is clear his owner has chosen to make a good home for him rather than put him down. This alone is amazing.
A Small Bell
If you listen you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from a smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you’ll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.
Follow The Sound
When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.
Imperfect
Just because we are not perfect, or because we have problems, or challenges does not mean we are unworthy. We still have value. Disability does not mean we should be discarded. Just think where the world would be without Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Stephen Hawking, or Helen Keller. With the virtue of family, church and community programs others enter into our lives to help us when we are in need.
See The Way
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those whom God places in our lives. Other times, we are the guide horse, helping others see the way. Good friends are like this. You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there.
“Please listen for my bell, and I’ll listen for yours.”