When Kim Meeder was a child, she considered her father something of a superhero. He didn’t wear a cape, fly, or leap tall buildings, but there wasn’t much else she felt he couldn’t do. As for her mother, she was the most beautiful and loving woman in the world, and Kim wanted to grow up to be just like her.
But when Kim was nine years old, she lost both her mom and dad in a horrific tragedy that shattered her heart. For years, she felt disillusioned with God. Today she’ll tell you that it was while riding on horseback that she first encountered the love of Jesus.
After her parents’ death, there was no safer place for Kim than crying into the neck of her horse, Her horse never made her feel, “You’re not pretty enough,” “You’re not smart enough,” “You don’t have the right clothes or the right friends.” Her horse’s ears would perk up when she saw Kim coming, as if to say, “Ah, there you are! I’ve been waiting for you.”
For decades, the Lord has used horses to infuse Kim’s heart and mind with hope and healing. He’s also used Kim and her horses to bring hope and healing to at-risk children.
If you’re wondering what you can learn about God from a horse, Kim suggests you try leading one. You can’t lead part of a horse, you have to lead all of it. Likewise, God doesn’t want to lead part of your life. He wants to lead all of it. He doesn’t want to heal and restore part of your heart. He wants to heal and restore all of it.
But God can only redeem and restore the pain we willingly give to Him. Jesus says to each of us, “I want all of you. Take my hand and let’s go. I’ll not only heal you, but I’ll use every ounce of pain you’ve survived to heal others who have suffered in similar ways as you.”
Kim was here a few years ago to share her story. Since then, both her ministry and her own healing have continued to grow and to inspire. We’re pleased to have Kim on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly for an update about how the Lord is using horses to help struggling kids discover a new path through life in Christ.
Kim Meeder and her husband, Troy, run Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, which rescues abused and neglected horses. Kim and Troy nurse these animals back to health and incorporate them in a riding program that ministers to hurting children.