G=Goals O=Outlook A=Authentic T=Truth(#coateisaGOAT)
This week, I revisited one of my favorite episodes of Little House on the Prairie—the one where Laura Ingalls rides her beloved horse, Bunny, in the township horse race against Nellie Oleson. Nellie’s mother had gone out and bought her a thoroughbred, just so she could beat Laura in the annual Hero Township race. But as always, the story runs much deeper than competition—it’s about character, faith, and what it really means to live with gratitude and grit.
Before the race, Laura is working herself to the bone—going to school, then heading to the livery to earn money for Bunny’s new horseshoes. Late one night, after finishing her chores, she sits in the barn with her father, Charles Ingalls, and pours her heart out. “Life isn’t fair,” she says. And Charles, with his gentle wisdom, agrees. He tells her that some girls are given everything without having to work for it, while others have to fight just to keep what they have.
But then comes the part that always sticks with me. Charles reminds Laura that God gives each of us our own gifts—determination, spunk, discipline, a good disposition, and a hopeful outlook. Those are the treasures that sustain us when life feels unbalanced. Those are the things that can’t be bought, only built.
That moment hit me all over again. Because how many times have we looked around and thought, “Why does it come so easily for them?” Maybe it’s career success, financial comfort, or just smooth sailing through life’s storms. But Charles’ words remind us that God doesn’t make mistakes. He knows exactly what we need—and sometimes, what we need is the struggle that builds our strength.
Later in the episode, Laura’s faith and character are tested again. When Willie Olsen falls sick, Laura pushes Bunny to her limits, riding miles to fetch Dr. Baker. She risks everything for someone else—then faces the heartbreak of realizing Bunny might be too tired to race. But with encouragement from Mr. Dorfler, and a belief that she and Bunny could still do it, Laura runs the race anyway.
And they win. Not because they had the fanciest horse or the easiest path—but because Laura had grit, faith, and a heart full of purpose.
That’s the Coate Mindset message right there. Life won’t always be fair. But it’s not supposed to be fair—it’s supposed to form us. God gives us each a different mix of challenges and blessings, but He also equips us with exactly what we need to walk the road in front of us. Determination. Courage. Faith. Love.
When things don’t go the way you planned—when you feel like someone else got the “thoroughbred” while you’re just holding onto your “Bunny”—remember Laura’s lesson.
Keep showing up. Keep working hard. Keep trusting that God’s plan is bigger than what you can see right now.
Because when you lean into your God-given gifts and give your best, He always shows up for you—sometimes in ways you didn’t even expect.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
What if the very thing that feels unfair right now is the training ground for the strength I’ll need in the next season? 💛 Stay determined. Stay kind. Keep your faith steady, and your spunk strong. That’s the Coate Mindset.
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