Hidden Heroes of Easter – Donkey Owner
Part Three of our Hidden Heroes of Easter Series
He sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a [donkey] tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Luke 19:30-31 (NIV)
Singer Michael Card tells the story of his grandfather in the song “For F.F.B.” It seems he was always giving his coat away to someone who needed it more than he did. When I remember that line from the song, I always smile thinking about this South Carolina preacher who couldn’t help himself, but was continually giving his own warm coat away to someone in need. I wonder how his wife handled his perpetual need for another coat?
I remember a dark day years ago when our youngest daughter was very sick with a high fever. We lived near West Point, where my husband was a teacher, but a mountain stood between our little housing area and the hospital. So, I took my sick, little toddler to the clinic in our housing area. The doctor ran tests and told me to take her right away over the mountain to the hospital. He believed she had diabetes and needed immediate medical attention. He would call ahead to make sure they were ready for her.
Oh, how I trembled as I buckled her and her older sister into their car seats and tried to drive safely over that mountain. I gripped the steering wheel so tightly my hands hurt. As I drove, I prayed for my little girl. I demanded that God save her. Fix her. Keep her from harm. Then His voice whispered in my mind a simple question, “Whose is she, Sharon?” I fiercely held onto that steering wheel and whispered back in anger, “She’s mine.” I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. The voice came again, “Whose is she?” The wrestling match that went on in my mind during that crazy drive over the mountain is hard to explain to this day, but, at last, I released my grip and whispered, broken, “She’s Yours, Lord. Of course, she’s Yours. We dedicated her to you and she is Yours.”
We arrived at the hospital where the ER folks were waiting. They reran the tests before proceeding and … our daughter was fine. No indications of an elevated sugar level at all. I’ll never forget my shock. My relief. My tears. What in the world happened in my car that day? I can’t fully explain it, but God and I came to an agreement. I did not “own” my children. He is the Giver of life, and my children are His. I needed to relax my grip.
The name of our “hidden hero of Easter” today is not even recorded in the Bible, but his donkey is mentioned in every single gospel. All he needed to hear on the day the disciples came and untied his donkey and took it away was, “The Lord needs it.” That was enough. The Lord needed it, and the owner released his expensive possession into Jesus’ care. No arguments. No fight. No calls to the police. He simply let go. What a hero!
Whether God asks us to give up control of a coat, a child, or a donkey … we would be wise to release to Him what we think is ours. He is the Good and Sovereign God and always trustworthy. He is the One who knows the future and what is ultimately best and right. We can trust Him with our loved ones and all our possessions. And when He asks … our greatest joy comes when we gladly release our grip and offer them to Him.
Dear Lord, give us ears to hear when You ask us to release something or someone to Your care. Show us when our grip is tight, our anger fierce, and our heart unwilling to trust. Help us walk as Your children, totally sure that You know best. Thank You for that donkey that carried You into Jerusalem on that long-ago day—and for his willing owner. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
You are loved,
Sharon
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision
To encourage a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth that stillness and knowing God matter most—
and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
Donate
If you’ve been blessed, keep the blessing going!
Click over to our Donation page … and thanks.
