Live the Good Life - Live Devout

Here is an awesome quote from the book, "The Spiritual Life: A Comprehensive Guide for Catholics Seeking Salvation, by Fr. Jean Nicholas Grou"

"With regard to all our undertakings, even the most holy, in which we are engaged by the will of God, He asks of us only our faithful labor, our careful application, and the employment of the means in our power.  But He does not ask of us success;  that depends on Him alone.  And sometimes He permits, for our greater good, that the success should not be according to our hopes and intentions.

This quote applies well to a situation that I recently found myself in.  I had worked at a natural chicken farm for six months and last year successfully raised 30 broiler chickens and 30 laying hens.  I felt pretty confident and successful.  Well, many friends and family sought my advice to begin raising their own chickens, I happily gave advice. 

This spring I ordered 11o broiler chicks and 60 pullets (for laying hens) and felt great about this next big step in growing poultry for my family.  It didn't take long for me to see that I had overdone it.  As the birds grew, my space, feeders, and waterers were completely inadequate for 170 chicks.  I had to shift gears and change my plans in order to allow the chicks to just survive.

Next came the time for "processing" (butchering).  I had been blessed to have a friend that had the equipment to make this pretty easy.  Unfortunately, my broilers were just not growing.  Typically broilers get to about 8-10 lbs by 10 weeks and my birds were going on 12 weeks and only about 4-5 lbs.  After calling the hatchery, I found out that the breed I had ordered were not meant to be that big and were considered "fryers".  I was humbled.  No longer would I pride myself on being the "chicken man".

My wife, a very holy woman ( I am sure she would dispute that) homeschools our children.  She has had her struggles, but a couple of years ago she either read something or came to it in prayer - "Let go of the results!"  This has been a powerful maxim in our household through the tough times.  As the quote above states, we must do our work and do it well, but in the end, the results are out of our control.  Just as with my chickens,  I could have fed them the best grain, given them perfect pasture, and sung Ave Maria to them every morning, and still, they would have not grown to the size I desired...the results were out of my hands.  I also think of the many men that support their families and have worked hard for years only to be layed off.  Again, this is out of their hands.  Coming to accept the results is another story...and that can only be done through the grace of God and a firm resolution of the will.