06/25/2026
A volunteer once asked me why I still keep an old broom around the barn.
It wasn’t much to look at. The bristles were worn down and falling out. The handle was scratched and weathered from years of use. There were newer brooms nearby that worked better and looked much nicer.
I smiled and told her, “It’s hard to explain. I know its weight. I know how it feels in my hands. It’s been through a lot with me. We’ve cleaned countless stalls together, swept aisles after long days, and weathered every season. There’s a familiarity to it.”
Later, as I thought about it, I realized the old broom reminded me of our horses.
At Reining Free Ranch, many people would naturally choose the youngest, strongest, most beautiful horse. Yet some of our greatest teachers are the older horses. They may have scars. Their steps may be slower. They may not be as flashy as they once were. But they carry something far more valuable - years of faithfulness.
A horse like that has carried children who were learning to walk. It has stood quietly while anxious riders found courage. It has helped families celebrate victories and grieve losses. That horse has been part of countless stories that no one sees just by looking at its age or appearance.
God often works the same way.
Our world tends to value what is shiny, new, strong, and impressive. But throughout Scripture, God repeatedly chooses the worn, the unlikely, and the faithful. He doesn’t discard something simply because it bears the marks of a life well-lived.
The old broom in the corner and the seasoned horse in the pasture both remind me that value isn’t determined by appearance. Their worth comes from the purpose they have served and the lives they have touched.
And maybe that’s true of us, too.
Many of us carry scars, disappointments, and evidence of hard seasons. We may feel worn down or wonder if our best years are behind us. Yet God sees every mile we’ve traveled with Him. He sees every act of service, every tear, every prayer, and every quiet moment of faithfulness.
The old broom remains in my barn not because it’s perfect, but because it reminds me that things and people don’t lose their value simply because they’ve been used.
In God’s hands, the most beautiful stories are often written through those who have been through the most.
*“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” 1 Corinthians 15:28
