Laurie Brock ’02 Shares Wisdom from the Saddle
The Rev. Laurie Brock, Class of 2002, shares the experiences of love, grief, humility, joy, and deep wisdom that she discovers day to day in the company of horses in her new book God, Grace, and Horses: Life Lessons from the Saddle. For Brock, we find the way by walking…or by riding a horse. A life of faith and a life with horses both find us in unexpected places: on new trails, in holy places, and sometimes mucking out the stall.
The institutional church is too often filled with doctrine, words, and beliefs that overwhelm people of faith and non-church goers alike. And yet, humans are drawn to the sense of awe, the comfort, and the challenges to be found in a life of faith. By grounding faith in the inspiring presence of horses, Brock finds and shares a most relatable experience of God. She likens the rooted relationship between humans and horses with our deep love of God. In this exploration of relationship and practical spirituality, Brock gives us a whole new way to speak to God.
Upon moving to Kentucky over a decade ago, Brock realized she needed a hobby. A call to a riding lesson barn later, she found a passion and life in horses. Horses teach her about God and provide endless opportunities for laughter and learning. She also serves as a crisis chaplain, retreat leader, and speaker (especially when she can work with horses) and has previously authored Horses Speak of God.