Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances

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 this farm animal 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.

In this witty, inspirational memoir, you’ll discover:

• A reminder of God’s faithfulness―and sense of humor
• Wisdom and life lessons from unexpected sources
• Discussion questions for book clubs

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.

Stories that teach spiritual lessons, delight with humor, and make me lean in closer to God’s heart are my favorites! And this unlikely treasure of a book does just that. You will fall in love with Flash and the way Rachel Anne processes their story together. (Lysa Terkeurst, NYT bestselling author of The Best Yes and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries)

When I first heard that Rachel Ridge had written a book about her family’s donkey, Flash, I had no idea what to expect. Nothing could have prepared me for such a delightful experience! I loved every page of Flash, and Rachel has such a gift for story telling that you can absolutely picture each scene. This book made me laugh at Flash’s antics and cry as I identified with the lessons He has taught her family about the way God loves us and sees us. This book will make you fall in love with our Savior all over again and, more than likely, make you hope you can have your own pet donkey someday. (Melanie Shankle, NYT bestselling author of Sparkly Green Earrings and Antelope in the Living Room)

This book is a delight; it’s an honest, funny, and encouraging reminder of the creative, loving ways that God pursues us, teaches us, and changes us. Granted, I never expected that I’d have so much in common with a donkey, but Flash has taught me more than I could have imagined. There’s not a doubt in my mind that you’re going to love this book, and when you finish reading it, you’re going to want to follow Flash’s lead and run with horses. Who knew that a donkey could be such a role model? Thanks, Rachel, for sharing these timeless lessons! (Sophie Hudson, Author of Home Is Where My People Are and blogger at BooMama.net)

Flash is a marvelous, wonderful, funny, touching, and illuminating book. The author makes the good donkey Flash come alive on the pages. I agree with Rachel that God uses all sorts of things—from dogs to donkeys—to teach us more about himself, and all we have to do is pay attention. (Jim Kraus, Bestselling author of The Dog That Talked to God)

Charming, poignant, funny, honest—Rachel Anne’s journey with Flash the donkey is pure reading pleasure as she shares her family’s misadventures with their four-legged friend. She opens her heart to us as well, helping us learn memorable lessons about doing life with more meaning and purpose. Flash is delightfully different. I loved it! (Liz Curtis Higgs, Bestselling author of The Girl’s Still Got It)

|What a charming, endearing, numinous book—and donkey! From the first chapter, you will immediately fall in love with Rachel Anne Ridge and her beloved Flash. By the last line, your eyes will be opened to seeing the ways God shows up and reveals Himself in the most unexpected—and delightful—ways. (Lisa Whelchel, Actress and author of The Facts of Life and Friendship for Grown-Ups)

Bravo to Rachel Ridge for this beautifully written book that so eloquently reminds us that our everyday happenings in life can be great lessons and blessings in disguise from our Maker—even in the form of a donkey! Her unique ability to paint this picture of love and compassion for one of God’s creatures in need, evolving into a new family member that unknowingly brings courage and empowerment to a woman with so much to give, will inspire anyone. Two things you will want when you turn the last page is a donkey in your yard and Rachel as one of your besties! (Cindy Owen, Given Entertainment Group)

What in the world could a donkey teach me about life? Lots. Why? Because donkeys are simple creatures who live simple lives. Isn’t simplicity exactly what so many people are seeking to find amidst their busy and hectic existences? And the story is not just about the donkey. It’s about the author, Rachel Anne Ridge, who chooses to live a simple life, just a few yards down a simple road that she and I have shared for the last few years. In the pages of this book, you will find—in the life of this woman and in the life of her surprise pet donkey—that simplicity is beautiful. (Chrystal Hurst, Coauthor of Kingdom Woman)

I always stand amazed at God’s infinite creativity. When Rachel and Tom Ridge faced a financial crisis, I would have suggested a financial advisor or career counselor. God chose to send a homeless donkey. Farmers often abandon male donkeys during hard times because they are deemed “worthless.” God showed Rachel that this stubborn and irrepressible animal was far from worthless. Flash used his considerable donkey charm to teach the family lessons about service, faithfulness, purpose, passion, and second chances. God spoke through a donkey in the Old Testament. Hundreds of years later, He spoke again through a homeless donkey named Flash. You will laugh (often) at the antics of Flash. You will be touched by the authenticity of Rachel’s writing. And you will be amazed at the depth of the lessons God revealed through an abandoned donkey with big ears and a bigger heart. (Dave Burchett, Author of Stay and When Bad Christians Happen to Good People)

A kick-in-the-pants read! Flash is memoir plus heartwarming and sometimes stressful animal story, mixed together with spiritual truth, all tempered with humor at just the right spots. Though I live in the suburbs, this made me want to disobey my neighborhood’s bylaws and get myself a donkey! (Mary DeMuth, Author of The Wall around Your Heart)

Rachel Ridge has a beautiful ability to take the common things of life (like words) and craft them in such a way that they flow like prose and poetry. Submerging yourself in Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances is to become lost in a beautiful gallery of her finest art. With each turn of the page, the master storyteller shares a glimpse of humor, revelation, and hope. Every seemingly simple vignette leads you to a sweet discovery of spiritual truth hidden within the gentle donkey’s tale of adventure. Each eye-opening escapade feels like a breath of fresh air and gives you a hint at the tenderness and transparency of Rachel’s heart. We’d all like to have a friend like Flash, faithful and true. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever needed a true-blue friend, a second chance, or a fresh perspective. (Jan Greenwood, Pastor of Gateway Women and Gateway Church and author of Women at War)

I believe that since Creation, God has used animals to teach us about ourselves and about our Creator—if we’ll pay attention. Rachel pays attention, and so will her readers as they delight in a quirky and lovable donkey, Flash. (Dandi Mackall, Author of Winnie the Horse Gentler, Backyard Horses, and Starlight Animal Rescue)

Reader, BEWARE! By the end of this book you will be searching for a donkey for your own personal growth! From now on, every time I see one of these marvelous creatures out in the field, I will think of Flash, and I am sure a smile or giggle will follow, for the burden of this burrow is laden with humor and wisdom. Rachel has dignified a lowly creature to the point that you think it almost necessary to fence in your yard, buy some hay, and wait for the lessons to begin. Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your personal stories, and thank you, Flash, for being such a humorous teacher! (Tina Wesson, Survivor: The Australian Outback (Season Two) winner)

I loved this whimsical, vulnerable, and simply profound book! Rachel tells how a broken, lost, and stubborn animal awakened her awareness of God’s voice in her life. Her story gives hope to anyone who has ever felt inadequate or unseen. She takes the simple and makes it shine to encourage the reader to look with a fresh perspective at the potential God puts in each of us. (Paige C. Green, Director of Adult Events, LifeWay Christian Resources)