I’m a Caantender
by Rebecca Ross
The breeze gently rustled the mighty oaks, and the brilliant sunlight wafted through the solid branches and vibrant leaves, causing the shadows to dance across the two figures in the grove below.
The golden-haired pair quietly enjoyed the peace of the simple moment, ignorant of the still camera-man who captured the beauty of the picture with a click of a button.
As the blonde-haired woman led the pretty palomino quarter horse around, her movements were uncoordinated and jerky, and her steps faltered and her grip on the lead rope weakened at times. But her companion stayed strong and graceful, his steps sure and confident.
The sweet bond between the two is one that will forever be etched in the memory of Hope Reins in Texas.
The woman was dying of a disease that poisoned her brain and altered her body with a new debilitating effect almost daily. Everything from her speech to her memory, her motor skills to her balance, was impacted in some way by this terminal disease. For this woman, she mourned many things over the progression of her disease, but the greatest sadness was her lack of ability to continue to work on the farm like she used to, to rope and ride like she once did, to be an independent cowgirl.
Though she would never gain this ability back, Hope Reins gave her an opportunity to continue to live out her passion through a new dream: a dream to continue living life to its fullest in spite of the tragic changes in her body. Hope Reins was able to give this opportunity to her because of the unique palomino, I’m a Caantender (Peanut).
He patiently carried her on his back as she guided him, though the cues were never quite right because of her fading ability. He stood with quiet expectation as she slowly roped the stoic calf dummy; when she “caught” the calf, it was an an accomplishment unlike any other in her life previously. Each time she groomed him, bathed him, and loved on him, she felt that she was truly a cowgirl on the ranch again. Though it wasn’t the same as before, she found joy in living in the moment God had given her with the abilities she still had, and Peanut helped her in all of those accomplishments.
Contender: "one who strives or vies against difficulties”
Hope: “a desire of good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it; confident expectancy”
I’m a Caantender gave this young woman the peace and joy to contend for a hope greater than what the world told her could be done. How much more so should we be encouraged to contend for the Hope that we have, greater than anything else in this world?
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade; to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:1-9
Hope Reins in Texas desires to help others find and contend for a hope that sustains them through the difficulties of this life for the purpose of discovering treasures that will last beyond this lifetime.
