One day I turned the heat up a bit because it seemed to be a little chillier than usual in the box. Big mistake! By the time I went back, the interior temperature of the incubator had risen to, what I was sure was, a very dangerous degree. They had gone from a tropical paradise to a blazing desert. That's when it happened. I began to entertain the first of many doubts as to the success of my mission.
Today is Sunday. Last Friday I should have seen eggs hatching. Nothing happened. Something interesting transpires in your mind when you are anticipating something good but what's in front of you doesn't line up with your expectations. I began to doubt. Then I started remembering every negative thing that had happened... The incubator didn't work for my friend... I had overcooked the tiny chick wombs... Some of the water/dye had dripped on some of the eggs... the list was quickly becoming overwhelming. Friday came and went and nothing happened. Saturday was equally uneventful and I began to plan for the worse. I now can see how easily I am swayed by circumstances that are right in front of me. I believe what I see, or choose to look at, rather than the possibility of what could happen. My husband sensed my impending doom and secretly prayed that God would grant me the desires of my heart and fulfill the dreams I have for this ranch.
Late Saturday afternoon I noticed that one of the eggs looked like it might have a crack. Hours went by and nothing happened. I laid down to take a nap and I was sure I heard peeping. Sometimes I hear things that just aren't there in the natural, so I thought this might be one of those times. I would watch the eggs off and on for hours and once I thought I saw an egg rock. Sometimes I see things that just aren't there in the natural too, so I figured I was just tired and decided to go to bed. I got up several times during the night and still no activity, but I was pretty sure I was, in fact, hearing peeps. I couldn't think of anything that makes peeping sounds in the dark of the night, so I became hopeful once again.
This morning I could see one egg actually hatching. I turned on all the lights and began to talk to the little guy (or girl). The chick responded and moved even more. We began a conversation of encouragement, me to him and him back to me. The more I talked, the more he worked. I looked at the other eggs and had an amazing thought. If I have the mind of Christ and he could bless or curse something (like a fig tree) and that tree responded according to His words, and if greater things I would do (according to Jesus' own words), then what's to stop me from speaking to the rest of these eggs? So, I spoke! I declared that I have dominion here in this area and these are my eggs to steward. I came up with all kinds of positive statements to override the negative ones that had previously occupied my mind. I had stopped thinking about the eggs and started to imagine them as chicks. Suddenly, another egg wobbled. Then I spoke directly to the one that had been cracked from beginning, but had not moved since. I told him it was OK to come out and I heard the chick peep and then "pop", off shot a piece of his shell. I would say it was like magic, but I prefer to use the word miracle.
Now I'm sitting here writing, when I should be getting ready for church. One chick is out, the next is on it's way and there are several tiny peep holes appearing in many of the other eggs. I will choose to focus on what God is doing here on my ranch today instead of what isn't happening. I will count my chicks, as they hatch, and count it all joy! I also just might apply these principals to my daily life and remember to have the mind of Christ, and all His possibilities, when I pray for people who are sick and "appear" like there is nothing happening. What have I got to lose? But I, indeed, have everything to gain!
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| All they know is my voice and my hand... Kind of like my relationship with God |
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