When Equines Bring Hope

I write this article on the first anniversary of my Daddy’s untimely and completely unexpected death. Given the year that I personally have experienced, and that North Carolina as a whole has experienced, we could all use a reminder of how we may find hope in unexpected places and delivered in unconventional ways.

In the days and weeks since Hurricane Helene ravaged the western third of North Carolina, pack mules from various places have brought hope to hundreds of folks who became trapped when their driveways, and the roads leading to them, were washed away entirely or blocked by storm debris. Carrying a variety of survival supplies, trains of pack mules carefully made their way into areas of utter despair and near-total destruction. Upon arrival, they delivered necessities to meet many immediate needs and offered hope to survivors along with these goods. They brought an unspoken message that folks had not been forgotten and that outsiders were doing anything it took– by whatever means necessary– to find them and help them make it through to the other side of this nightmare.

In certain ways, mules are particularly well-suited for the challenging job presented to them in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The result of a mating between a female horse and a male donkey, mules are a hybrid animal. Generally speaking, mules are larger and stronger than most donkeys and hardier and wiser than most horses. They are sure-footed and very aware of where their feet are, being able to see all four hooves at the same time. They are quite in tune with their abilities, refusing to carry a load that is heavy enough to cause them bodily injury. What is often perceived as stubbornness from mules and donkeys is actually more often wisdom. They will refuse to do what is asked of them if it cannot be done safely.

Across the world, hope has been delivered on the backs of equines. Mary, the mother of Jesus, rode to Bethlehem on the back of a donkey. Jesus, God’s only son, rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey. Generally speaking, donkeys and mules are not regal animals. They aren’t associated with winning races or carrying royalty. But just over 2000 years ago, and again about 3 months ago, equines have been the bearers of the only hope available physically, mentally, and spiritually. Mules in western North Carolina brought hope physically and mentally to storm-ravaged families. Donkeys carrying the only Son of God brought spiritual hope to all of us. Because of Jesus’ virgin birth, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection, I have hope of eternal life with Christ and hope of seeing Daddy again. Because of Jesus, I do not mourn as those who have no hope. Because Jesus’ sacrifice was for all the world, you too can have hope of eternal life after an earthly death.