13 Yielding to his Touch
YIELDING TO HIS TOUCH
He began his career as a jockey—a wiry, short, but very strong boy from Italy. It didn’t take long for him to make a name for himself around the stables and among the top owners. After jockeying a number of blue-ribbon Thoroughbreds, he went on to become a master horse trainer. You could ask most anybody around Baltimore’s Pimlico racetrack back in the 1940s. Pop Trombero was one of the best.
By the time I met Pop in the mid-1960s, he had long since retired from the track. Actually, Pop became family … my sister’s father-in-law. At various family gatherings, Pop would come to our farm and go horseback riding with us.
On one such occasion I recall my sister asking me to let Pop ride my horse, Tumbleweed. I protested. Listen, that horse was mine, and I didn’t want anyone else riding her—even if he was an “expert.” After a few minutes, however, I felt ashamed and gave in. I watched Pop Trombero tighten his jockey saddle on Tumbleweed as I saddled one of the older, slower horses. While we rode, I stuck close to Pop and Tumbleweed—just to make sure he didn’t jerk on her bridle or tug at her reins.
After a few minutes on the trail, I realized I had nothing to worry about. In fact, observing the way Pop handled my horse, I grudgingly realized I had a few things to learn. He was so tender with Tumbleweed. Constantly talking to her. Continually stroking her neck. Always giving her his undivided attention. No matter how interesting the trail, Pop’s focus never diverted from that horse for a moment.
You wouldn’t believe the way Tumbleweed responded. She became a different horse! Her ears pricked up. She listened to his commands, never balked, obeyed instantly. It seemed her joy to do Pop’s bidding. I was amazed! I looked down at my mount, realizing I’d hardly paid any attention to the animal. And the way my horse acted, it showed.
Wonderful things happened when a master like Pop touched a horse. He knew how to guide. He knew how to bring out the best. And wonderful things happen when the Master touches our lives as well. Mark 6:56 tells us that “as many as touched him were made whole” (KJV).
His attention never diverts from you for a moment. His touch in your life is constant, unchanging, always tender.
Is it the joy of your life to do His will? To obey? To pick up your pace when you feel His nudge? To slow down at a gentle tug on the reins?
The Lord God knows how to guide you as no one else. He knows how to bring out your best.
Intimacy with God is really a matter of yielding to the Master’s touch.
A Step Closer
I will instruct you and teach you in the
way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without
understanding, which must be curbed
with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.
PSALM 32:8–9, ESV
In what area of your life are you resisting the Master’s touch?
Has He revealed that to you?
Pray for the grace to yield—to release—
in that area and ask Him to guide you along
the path of His choosing.