Rachel and Tom had a business together, painting murals,
which used their creativity well and made them enough to
raise a family on - until the housing bubble burst. With
their modest dreams shattered, they didn't need another
burden. So when FLASH the donkey stood in their driveway
one night, homeless, thin and injured, what should they
do?
Flash was put in the Texas pasture overnight, with
difficulty since he didn't want to co-operate. Next day
the
extent of his injuries became apparent. The sheriff said
dumping donkeys was common in times of financial stress or
drought. He thought it unlikely that an owner would be
found. The rescue centres were swamped. Rachel didn't mind
Flash being in the pasture and barn for a little while,
but
her kids asked to keep him, saying donkeys were low
maintenance. How could she shoulder another
responsibility?
Well, Flash got his home and Rachel called him yard art,
and the short book tells of the bonding process and family
togetherness which arose from owning him. A hardy creature
with a sweet nature, except where dogs were concerned,
Flash came to understand that nobody would hurt him and
grew plump and sleek.
Rachel, our narrator, came to understand through her
ownership of the donkey that the downturn in her work did
not mean that she was a failure. She was not washed up,
unattractive, unwanted or unloved, as she had half begun
to
believe. She reconnected with her faith in her spiritual
life and faith in herself. Rachel bravely lets us in to
personal and distressing times in her life, in order to
show us that we can come through these challenges. I
particularly like how, when presented with a brand new
business challenge, the timid Tom and Rachel researched
the
matter and discovered how well they could run this project
if they stopped telling themselves that they could not do
it.
FLASH taught Rachel Anne Ridge many lessons, which she
passes on to us, including to take on challenges, blaze
trails, make a good home for others and embrace change.
The
amusing adventures of this little donkey who thrived on no
feed, broke out repeatedly and romanced tall mares, are
given greater depth by Rachel's insights. This enjoyable
book is suitable for readers of any age.
The heartwarming tale of an irrepressible donkey who
needed
a home—and forever changed a family.
Rachel Anne Ridge was at the end of her rope. The economy
had crashed, taking her formerly thriving business along
with it. She had been a successful artist, doing work she
loved, but now she felt like a failure. How would her
family
pay their bills? What would the future hold? If only God
would somehow let them know that everything was going to
be
all right . . . and then Flash the donkey showed up.
If there is ever a good time to discover a wounded,
frightened, bedraggled donkey standing in your driveway,
this wasn’t it. The local sheriff dismissed Flash as
“worthless.” But Rachel didn’t believe that, and she
couldn’t turn him away. She brought Flash into her
struggling family during their darkest hour—and he turned
out to be the very thing they needed most. Flash is the
true
story of their adventures together in learning to love and
trust; breaking down whatever fences stood in their way;
and
finding the strength, confidence, and faith to carry on.
Prepare to fall in love with Flash: a quirky, unlikely
hero
with gigantic ears, a deafening bray, a personality as big
as Texas, and a story you’ll never forget.
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