My Purpose
I John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
We often ask ourselves, “What is my purpose in life?” At times, that question leaves us frustrated or anxious. If you are like me, you probably set huge assumptions and expectations for yourself and your life, thinking that your PURPOSE must be some great achievement in ministry. However, after following Jesus for 55 years and always feeling like I’ve never done enough, I realized in the last few years that He’s not looking for my accomplishments, He’s just looking for my heart. And the truth of God’s word is even simpler and far greater, OUR HIGHEST PURPOSE IS TO SIMPLY LOVE GOD, AND LOVING OTHERS COMES BECAUSE WE FIRST LOVE HIM!
Saints Under Saddle was born more than 20 years ago with a desire to use my horses to minister to children who have experienced difficult circumstances and help them heal. 2 Corinthians 1:4 “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God.” I accepted Jesus as my Savior at age 15 and He came into my life and healed and comforted me. Knowing how Jesus can mend a broken heart, I wanted to share the comfort I’d received with other children who needed help.
I have ministered to children who have suffered some form of abuse just one child at a time for over 20 years, but the desire of my heart was to always do that full-time. I believe that all of us are image bearers of Christ, called to bring His love and compassion to a dying world.
Our true purpose is not about achievements, but about loving God and loving people and this is the foundation for Saints Under Saddle.To walk out small acts of kindness, bless the children and young adults He has given me and to point them to Jesus. In Saints Under Saddle, we bring that love through horses. I have discovered that horses are a powerful vessel to bring hope, healing, love, and restoration through Jesus.
In January of 2025, I finally took a step of faith to use my horses full-time to minister to children. I faced many obstacles from not only my physical limitations as I’ve had 3 knee surgeries, a devastating injury in 2023 where I fractured my kneecap and tore my quad to a knee replacement. My quad has never fully healed so I walk with a limp, and my quad is extremely weak. I also suffered a heat stroke and heart attack several years ago which has affected my stamina with the challenge of not being able to tolerate the heat when it gets above 80. Some of my friends said, “well you can’t do your horse ministry now”, but God spoke to my heart that “all things are possible to him who believes.” So here I stand today with almost 2 years of ministry to families in 2025 and 2026, and looking forward to all God has in store for us in 2027. It’s not about my strength or abilities, it’s about God and His purpose and He will accomplish His purpose for all of us!
There are so many miracles that I could share today, how God built a 60x60 covered arena so we could begin this ministry full-time, how David Davidson taught me how to truly “trust” God’s provision and inspired faith in my heart that when God calls you, He enables you and makes a way even when there truly seems to be no way. That faith is built one brick at a time and it’s only when we look back that we can see what God was accomplishing in our lives. Paul writes in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” The Lord showed me that this promise of God’s provision is complete and sufficient, not limited to financial provision but it encompasses emotional, spiritual, and physical needs for this ministry and my kids. “My kids”, the children and young adults that God has brought to Saints Under Saddle are God’s children first and its only in His strength that their needs can be met. God is our creator, we are His creation and the apple of His eye, and He is faithful to do everything that He promises. God’s promises are tied to a relationship with Him and as I have learned to step out in faith, give of myself to serve others, and simply do what He’s called me to do which is “Love God and Love Others, God has met every need for this ministry through the faithful actions of His children. The individuals that God used to build the arena and support this ministry are people that I had never met prior to going full-time. Then there are countless individuals who gave of their resources anonymously as one individual told my builder to tell me, I want her to know that God is building this arena, and it is God who is providing. We were building a 40x60 arena, but this individual told my builder, build a 60x60 and I’ll pay the difference, she will find that that is the size she actually needs and he was right.
I can honestly say that every aspect of this ministry has been God’s provision and His miracle. The mission of Saints Under Saddle is “horses helping children find hope, healing, and love through Jesus.” So, now I began seeking God to simply send me children/young adults/whoever He wanted me to love. I didn’t advertise, I didn’t send out flyers announcing that “I’m here”, I simply prayed and one day at a time the phone calls began coming in asking if I could minister to their child. My plan was to minister to children who have experienced difficult circumstances, but God’s plan was so much bigger than mine, and when I prayed and said, “Lord, I will take any child you send me”, He sent me children with every kind of need, not just emotional and spiritual, but children with mental and physical challenges. I was simply honest with parents and said I’ve never ministered to children with various special needs, but I will love them and God knows what they need and will show me how to help them.
The “saints” in Saints Under Saddle are my two horses Button and Bella and my niece’s horse Beau. Since going full-time in 2025, I have done a lot of research and found that horses have the power to slow the human heartbeat by simply standing in their presence. (A horse’s heart is 7-10 lbs. and about the size of a basketball compared to a human heart that is 8-10 ounces and the size of our fist) Research has shown that being near a horse lowers blood pressure, eases trauma, and even slows a racing heart. Horses significantly benefit individuals with mental, emotional, or physical challenges by enhancing emotional well-being, developing social skills, and communication abilities. Horses also provide a soothing environment that helps reduce anxiety and stress. Their non-judgmental nature allows individuals to express themselves freely, promoting emotional regulation and self-confidence. Over the past two years, I have personally witnessed the bond that my kids form with Button, Bella and Beau. Their relationship with our ministry horses enhances their self-esteem, confidence, and promotes feelings of empowerment as they learn to train and ride a horse. I have watched their accomplishments and seen pure joy on their faces when they accomplish various aspects of horse training and riding. Button, Bella and Beau help to foster a sese of connection and achievement that is profound to watch.
Learning bible verses set to music has also been a big part of this ministry and I love helping them learn their weekly bible verse and talk about what that verse means to their lives. Our first verse of 2026 was Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I am making all things new!” and that’s my prayer for their lives, that God would make Himself real in their lives, that they would yield their lives to Him in meaningful ways, making every aspect of their lives new. At the end of every session we share needs, pray together, and believe God to meet those needs. It is my hope that they will share the love that they have received in this ministry with others.
Horses helping children find hope, healing, and love through Jesus!
