“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience . . .”—Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

"Hey Sarah, look at this,” Kim rotated her computer screen toward me. As I glanced over her shoulder, I saw a picture of a little bay horse for sale. The photograph was blurry . . . but from what we could discern, our hearts were immediately drawn to the young mare. She instantly reminded us of one of our most cherished session horses, a mare named “Cassidy.”

With Cassidy aging and phasing out of our riding program, we wondered if God had possibly sent a precious lookalike to raise up in her place.

The next day, we called the contact indicated in the advertisement. I was surprised to learn that the mare had been abandoned on an individual’s property. She was underweight and unable to eat enough hay because of competition with several other dominant horses in the paddock.  The mare wasn’t simply another horse for sale—she was in need of rescue.

A few hours later our team pulled into a forested driveway. Behind the house was a paddock containing several horses. The bay mare was clearly an outcast. While the other equines were within a normal weight range, her ribs were clearly defined within her thin frame. We also noticed the hungry horse was covered in odd bald spots across her body. 

When we observed her itching herself by leaning her body along the paddock’s cable fence line, we asked the contact who met us if she knew anything about the mare’s odd behavior and skin condition. All the woman knew was that in an effort to offer kindness to the abandoned horse, someone had placed a horse blanket on her . . . and left it on all winter. The blanket was not waterproof and soaked through in the snowy weather. Without any means to dry herself, the mare’s skin became inflamed and infected under the heavy, oppressive cloak. 

Now, even though the blanket had been removed, the horse’s hide was so damaged that she was literally scratching off her hair and skin. As I tried to imagine her misery—and what I might feel like if I had to wear a wet coat for most of a year—my own skin began to crawl.

After the brief evaluation, we felt God was prompting us to help. We made arrangements to return the next day with a horse trailer. 

Barely 24 hours later, we arrived at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch with the newest—and itchiest—equine addition to our herd.

On the drive home, we asked Jesus what the mare’s new name should be. While we prayed, one name shone forth with clarity. The horse who was once abandoned, neglected and unwanted . . . was now rescued, cherished and belonged to a family. 

She was “Chosen.”

Chosen’s recovery was a challenging journey. We were concerned by how slowly she was gaining weight. A veterinary exam revealed sharp, knife-like points along her molars. Chosen’s mouth was full of ulcers from being cut by her own teeth. We also discovered she carried a huge parasite load.  Although the slender horse was given free-choice hay, the parasites were consuming most of her calories.

We began a careful deworming process. Within a few days, our new horse’s manure was filled with enormous roundworms—that were easily fifteen inches long. 

What seemed to take the longest to heal was her skin. Our veterinary team prescribed several rounds of medication. In addition, the remnants of her mane were shaved off and we were instructed to give our itchy horse daily baths to restore her skin balance. Scabby areas were treated with great attention. Finally, after several weeks, a glistening coat of fresh new hair began to regrow.

Within three months, Chosen’s weight, muscles, hair and health were fully restored. 

Our precious horse reminds us that perhaps, like her, we have carried our own wet blankets of sorrow or pain for so long, infection has taken place in our hearts. 

Similar to Chosen shedding a man-made blanket for her natural, God-given coat of splendor, we can exchange a “garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” (Isaiah 61:3, KJ21)

Our horse reflects how we can step out from under the heavy cloak of oppression and begin the journey of healing. Scripture describes the beautiful, God-given covering for His beloved chosen ones:

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience . . .”—Colossians 3:12 (ESV)

The Bible also says, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27, ESV)

Chosen’s daily baths remind us that when we allow ourselves to be washed daily by time in the Word of God, a healing transformation begins to take place within our hearts. Raw spots are restored by His truth and love. And the spirit of heaviness is exchanged for the radiant garment of praise.

Today, will you make the most important wardrobe decision of your life? 

Within your closet, do you have heavy, wet cloaks of depression and anxiety to exchange for the radiant garment of praise Jesus offers? Will you allow Him to wash you with Scripture daily?

If so, like our beloved horse, your transformation will quickly follow.