Traditionally, recovery groups like to maintain confidentiality. Today we have made an exception. The newbie colts had a picnic over the weekend and I was fortunate enough to be invited. We had the Rancher take a group picture of us so we could show it off at the meeting today. As they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” So true. It makes us smile when others dote over our images. I’m the one in front, leaning on the fence. It’s okay. . .I know what you’re thinking. And we always know what my Lily is thinking. She tells us.
“For foolish and vain man thinks that he is wise, although he is born like a wild ass’s colt. Job 11:12
When I was a young “jack” so to speak, I remember my Mom coming home one day from visiting my grandmother who lived near the Museum of Science and Industry. She walked in the door with a scared and anxious look on her teary-eyed face. Nothing touched my heart more, nor concerned me more, than her tears. My Dad was home and they embraced in the kitchen and she began to tell her story. Keep in mind, that in my eyes, my Mom was very close in pureness and innocence to the very angels in Heaven.
While she was driving home, some guy who was in a big hurry, cut her off and nearly created an accident. My Mom was so upset with him that she pulled up along side him, gave him the finger and called him an “ass.” He reacted angrily and tail-gated her for blocks, beeping his horn and making finger and hand gestures back at her. Of course she was terrified and shaken up over the whole incident. She kept saying, “I can’t believe what an ass that guy was.” I am smiling now, and a little teary-eyed thinking about the whole moment. I was shocked over the way she acted. . .and then my little heart just loved her more, because she was so much like me. . .and I, like her. It was a defining moment in our relationship.
I decided to look up our ancestry on Wikipedia, to find out more about the colts of a wild ass. The donkey or ass, is a 
domesticated member of the horse family. That may be what my mom meant when she called the guy a “horses ass.” The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. It says that there are more than 40 million wild asses in the world (but those present at the meeting today know, that figure is grossly understated) and they are chiefly used as draught or pack animals. A male donkey is called a jack and the female donkey is called a jenny.
This is a quote: “Asses were first domesticated around 3000 BC and have spread around the world. They continue to fill important roles in many places today.” The lilies and the Dumbo sheep, the eagles and the sailors and every one of the firemen. . .all the jacks and jennys. . .are crying in laughter. It is pretty funny, and actually very good, to be able to laugh at yourself.
I am the embodiment, the personification of the colt of a wild ass. An old Scottish minister from the 17th century said that the young colt may be the most stupid animal alive. When I think of many of the decisions that I have made and still can make, even to this very day, I can only nod my head. The article continued to say that the colt has a notorious reputation for stubbornness, which is attributed to a strong sense of “Self-preservation”. Once a person has earned their trust and confidence, the donkey can be a willing and companionable partner. . .a very dependable Jack or Jenny, carrying packs of flowers and fruit. One of the newbie colts is waving at me. She has the Big Book in her hand and wants to read something from it.
“God shall gather all the sheep to Him. He will bind the lamb to the Vine and the ass’s colt to the Choice Vine and wash their garments in the blood of grapes.” Then she turned the page to read, “Jesus told them to go into the village and you shall find an ass tied, with a colt with her. Loosen them and bring them to Me. This was done to fulfill the prophecy, ‘The King shall come to you, meek and sitting upon the colt of a wild ass.’ So the disciples brought the colt to Jesus and He sat on him and road him through the streets of the city.”
When God the Son became a man, He entered into a union with the colt of a wild ass. He joined Himself to all the children that His Father had given to Him. It was a Forever Union, always in the heart of God, authored before time and arriving at the perfect moment in time. He bound every little jack and jenny to Him, like lambs to the Vine. He road the colt into the streets and into the journey ahead for Him. They were with Him through it all. On the cross. In the grave. Rising from the dead with Him. They were inseparable. Nothing could, or can, ever separate the colts from His Love.
Jack and Jenny went up the hill to fetch some Flowers and Fruit. Lilies of the Valley and Roses of Sharon. Ripe, Sweet Fruit from the Spirit of Christ. Love, Wisdom, Power, Patience, Hope, Faith, Self-control. The Fruit of the Vine.
Freely given. Freely Received. All yours, little donkeys.
A Good Moment 