And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.

~Exodus 13:21-22 NKJV

“Lord God,” Earle cried, “help me to find my ewe.

She’s been lost in this blizzard since morning and she’s pregnant.” Earle brushed a tear from his eye, leaned forward in the saddle, and gave his horse, Cooper, his full rein. “Find ‘er!”

Cooper sensed Earle’s urgency and broke into a lope. Earle spotted the ewe only when Cooper dodged her, prancing with high steps.

“Come ‘ere, lady!” Earle said, gliding out of the saddle. He brushed snow from the ewe’s woolen curls.

The ewe lifted her head but otherwise remained motionless. Earle reached into Cooper’s saddlebag and grasped an alfalfa cube and a handful of molasses-strapped oats. “I got yer favorite treat ‘ere.” Earle pressed the alfalfa cube to the ewe’s nose. She refused it.

“How ‘bout some oats?”

She roused, nibbling on a few grains.

“Let’s go home,” Earle said.

The ewe placed her muzzle in Earle’s hand, and they inched forward. Soon, she toppled.

Earle fell to his knees, “Father God, what’s my next step?” He fought panic rising inside him, and listened for the inner voice of the Lord to speak within his conscious. An idea came to him.  Earle loosened Cooper’s girth, removed the saddle-pad, and placed the ewe on this makeshift sleigh. He fashioned an improvised harness from Cooper’s bridle and some rope. He attached this ensemble to the girth and reattached it.

Earle clucked to Cooper.

It was then he realized he was lost. He couldn’t see the outcroppings to center him; all he could see of the blurred landscape was snow! He tried to track their direction, but their footprints were erased. He couldn’t even see the horizon, and since he’d been so busy setting up the makeshift sleigh, he had not marked their direction.

Earle pulled the ewe into his bosom. “I’ll get ya home somehow, love. Blizzard or not, you’ll bed down in my own cabin tonight, ‘lil gal.” He motioned for his horse to go forward. Cooper hesitated. “Go on, boy. Find home.”

Cooper zig-zagged across the landscape, confused. Earle tugged on the sled; Cooper halted.

“Lord, we need Your help! You led Your people in all circumstances and at all times. I’m asking You to lead me.” Once again, he listened for God’s still small voice. Earle took his gloves off and slipped them onto the ewe’s hooves. “It ain’t much, lil’ lady, but ye need spoilin’ more than myself.” He felt her abdomen. “Hold off there, love! I’ll get you home.”

Earle searched the landscape and realized he had an unexpected clue. He could smell the wood burning in his fireplace. “Thank You, Lord!” he said. He followed the scent, and step-by-step led the convoy forward. Soon, Cooper realized how his master was tracking, and he nuzzled him. Earle mounted him bareback, and held Cooper to a trot so they could proceed without loosing the makeshift sleigh that held the ewe.

At last, Earle spotted embers rising from the chimney. “Thank You, Lord! For You, ‘the true Light,’ (John 1:9 KJV) have guided me home.”

Earle opened the cabin door and led Cooper inside. He stoked the fireplace, laughing at the sight of his horse and ewe both residing inside his home. Tears streamed freely as he bedded the ewe, still upon the saddle-pad. That night she gave birth to a perfect lamb.

Earle knew that as Moses relied on the Guiding Light, so must he. 

And so must we….

Share how God has led you through a difficult circumstance.

Lord God, thank You for guiding me through the storms of life. Help me to call upon You daily.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Fiction

Copyright 2018: Guiding Light: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved

Published: January 25, 2019: Christian Broadcasting Network: Beth Patch, Senior Internet Ministries Producer

Republished: January 25, 2021: Christian Broadcasting Network: Beth Patch, Senior Internet Ministries Producer