Heavenly Father asks that we pray for what we need, and He has promised to answer our prayers. But how and when our needs are met is up to Him. We must trust that He knows better than we do what we need and how best to give it to us. We are, after all, His children.
As Elder George Q. Cannon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained: “Heavenly Father is a loving and a kind and beneficent Parent. … He knows how to guide us and how to time His blessings to our wants; … He knows our condition; He knows what is good for us. If we need a gift and a blessing, He knows when to bestow it upon us” Faith in Heavenly Father is always rewarded—although, sometimes not immediately or in quite the way we anticipate it will be.
A story is told of two horses in a field. From a distance each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car or are walking past the field you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.
If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse’s halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow. As you stand and watch these two horses, you’ll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, Heavenly Father does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have unconventional problems or insurmountable challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the ringing bell of those whom he places in our lives. At other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.
Heavenly Father has placed some very special people around me who serve as the guiding horse. My husband and children have been an inspiration to me. They have been there for me in my darkest hours and have been a sounding board, confidant, and the best listeners.
Many dear friends have been the best friends anyone could have. We laugh, cry, and share mutual frustrations daily. They have been there for me at my lowest points when others have abandoned me.
My parents have been sources of guidance for years. Their love has always been unconditional. Their prayers and support have gotten me through the worst times and the best. Their examples will guide me for many years to come.
I know that Heavenly Father has used me as the guiding horse and that my bell has rung loudly as a guide toward the truth for those around me.
Our trust and our relationship with our Heavenly Father should be similar to that of the blind horse who trusted the smaller horse. When sorrow, tragedy, and heartbreaks occur in our lives, wouldn’t it be comforting if when the whisperings of Heavenly Father say, “Do you know why this has happened to you?” we could have the peace of mind to answer, “No, but You do.”
Peace is a blessing that comes to those who trust in Heavenly Father. It is established through individual righteousness. Just as the blind horse is guided and trusts that he will not be led astray because of the small bell of the other horse, so we can find peace if we trust our Father and learn to live by His principles.
.JPG)
