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A Watched Chicken Doesn't Hatch
by Nancy Quinn My dad was a veterinarian in a small town in Iowa, and my sister and I had the privilege of getting to take care of "summer pets" each year. We'd care for our interesting pets and then return them to the farmer before school started. On this particular summer, a small incubator appeared one evening on the kitchen counter with three brown eggs. My sister and I peeked through the domed lid. How long before our pets would appear? We'd check the small, round contraption every time we walked by the kitchen counter. It seemed to take forever and we squinted through the domed cover, anxious to see any sign of life from our three eggs. A tiny hairline crack made an appearance one morning, and then we watched in fascination as bit by bit, the shells began to give way to reveal tiny golden beaks. Our little chicks had beautiful black feathers and they soon turned into fluffy balls of love. My sister and I would form a fence with our feet touching. The little chicks would wander within our little fence, making tiny cheeps and we'd gently hold them and pet their downy backs. We decided that the time we had to wait for our new pets was worth the wait; the experience of watching the chicks hatch is one I will always remember. Patience sometimes does not come easy, and in these frightening last days with an endless stream of violence on the news, it's easy to look up into the sky as we anxiously wait for the trumpet sound of the Lord's return and wonder how much worse it can possibly get before He comes back. But I encourage you to pray for patience and strength to stay strong in your ministry and not lose heart. Just remember that every day the Lord delays His coming, more people are allowed time to become Christians by asking Jesus to be their Lord and Savior too. And just like the beautiful little chicks were worth the long wait to become my pets, just imagine the beautiful celebration waiting for us in heaven when all Christians, young and old, will join together as we hear the Lord say, "Well done, Thou good and faithful servants." James 5:7 "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains." Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." May God bless these words as I strive to encourage others in their walk with Christ. Please contact me if you would like to request a specific lesson that Lucy Mouse can teach your children or if you would like a coloring page to be sent to match the story! Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |