A Race Well Run
by Lori Brooks
One of the most frequently asked questions about our horses at Strong Tower Ranch is, “Where do you get your horses?” My honest reply is, "...from God." 

In August of 2019 God brought us Caspian, formally known as Sea of Change in the race world. Caspian was the first Thoroughbred (purebred racehorse) we had the privilege of working with at STR. He immediately won the hearts of everyone who met him and through his story, “Restoration of a Racehorse”.  

We did not ever suspect that his time with us would be so short, but God knew that Caspian’s time of departure was near, and He entrusted us with Caspian’s final leg of the race. What an honor and privilege to have witnessed the lives this horse helped point to Jesus. During his final moments the vet, who came to help, kept calling him a war horse. As Caspian left this world late Thursday night, the clouds parted after days of rain, and the moon and stars brightened the night with hope.  
Caspian lived a life of travels, hardships, and victories. His life was spent racing for the finish line. Some people may say, "It’s just a horse", but I say he’s an inspiration to live every season, every situation with grace. Acts 20:23-25 says, “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Caspian’s legacy of hope and perseverance is shared in the testimony of one of our teens, Alexa: 
“Every horse is different. Every horse has its person. And every horse lover has that one horse who changes everything. But the truly amazing thing about Strong Tower Ranch is that one horse is a home and refuge for hundreds of children. For me, my home was Caspian. Caspian walked into Strong Tower as a frail, skinny, lonely spirit. He had been worked since he was a pony. He raced his heart out on the racetrack. He galloped to please; he was a performance horse. He raced beyond what most racehorses can take. He was a fighter. He never gave up no matter how difficult the race. Sometimes he came in first; sometimes he fell. He kept trying. He kept running even though his legs told him to stop. His heart was never done with racing.

"My favorite thing about Caspian was that even though my circumstances seemed to be screaming at me and my life was in complete chaos, he whispered to me to never give up. He fought until his very last breath. Caspian taught me perseverance. That no matter how awful the circumstances, keep your head up. Caspian’s heart will never be forgotten but will forever hold a special part of my heart and of every life he touched. He was my favorite hello and the hardest goodbye.”
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV)
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