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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Make Hay While the Sun Shines" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (03/06/08)
God’s Music for God’s Babies


Wow, what a job! I was so exhausted and over heated! I really didn’t think it would take that much work to finish repairing and preparing the chicken coop for my arrivals. But, finally it was nearing completion with just a few more things to do.
I knew that the coop was secure, so after I checked that the freshly sanitized nesting boxes and adult water and feeders were placed on the wall farthest from the door and inspected one more time the windows and screening, I turned my attention to preparing a nest for the babies.
The small wading pool would do just fine for a few weeks. I had already layered the bottom with a deep bedding of fresh pine shavings and placed the little water and feed dishes filled with medicated chick starter on the outside edges. The heat lamp was hanging just at the appropriate distance to give the needed temperatures that these little guys would have to thrive. I laid the thermostat along the outside wall and another one on the floor under the lamp to keep accurate readings.
I stepped back to cast a look around their new abode to see what else was needed. All around the coop I had neatly placed supplies that I would need to have to care for them once they arrived. Yes, finally it was ready. Excitement poured into my heart like a great flood; I needed to keep focused.
There was one more thing I needed to set in place before they arrived. I reached over to the counter near the south window and picked up the small boom box my husband lent me for just this reason. It was preset to the local Christian radio station which played worship most of the time. I set it on the top shelf out of reach and plugged it in. I smiled as the soft music wafted through out the room.
I was remembering all the funny glances and looks I got each time I told why I played Christian music for my new babies. It was quite funny, but the results were also very astounding. I was told years ago, that if I would play quiet music for my birds, raising the volume a small bit each week until they were 4-6 weeks old, I would avoid the problem of easy startling and sudden death.
Well, not only did I practice using music for the chicks, but I allowed it to be played for them as they grew older . I decided it should be God’s music that ministers to his babies. The result of this practice was a noticeable difference in my Rhode Island Red hens personalities and temperaments. They were the most docile and beautiful birds many of my guests had ever seen. And their gift to me was their rich brown eggs!
Just then, I was startled back to the present by the loud blaring of a car horn in my driveway. It was the mailman and he had my package! Excitement poured over me as I ran around the side of the house to his waiting jeep. Smiling, with his hands extended, he passed to me a wonderfully loud cardboard box. “Here’s your babies!”
I set the large crate down on the counter and waited a minute for my heart to stop pounding. It had been so long since I had the opportunity to help the Lord bring up his little chicks.
I cut the cords that bound the boxes lid. As I opened it, out popped the fist of 25 little chirping heads, all crying out for their mama. “Oh Lord, help me to take care of them!” I prayed as I lifted each one out and held them in my hands. I dipped each of their beaks into the waiting water and chick feed and then let them go, scurrying about in their new nesting box.
After settling them into their new abode, I stepped back and looked over all that was going on. I was caught up by the music in the background that softly floated to those dear little ones. It lifted even my soul and spirit!
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This article has been read 758 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Patrick Whalen
03/13/08
What an exciting time! Your sentence structure needs some fine tuning but otherwise a good story. White space between paragraphs help the reader follow the story's flow. (Just some thoughts...I'm learning right there with you!)
Lyn Churchyard
03/14/08
Wow, I wish we'd done that with our chicks when I was a kid. We used to get several hundred a time. Thank you for reminding me how gorgeous they were. Well done. As Patrick said, make sure you put a line between each paragraph. Good story though :)
Yvonne Blake 
03/15/08
Ohhh, how beautiful!
My son loved to raise chicks. You described the chicken coop so well.
An extra space between each paragraph will help the reader.
Thank you for writing this.
**THIS SPARKLES**
Joshua Janoski
03/16/08
Very cute and heartwarming story.

Some of the sentences need to be restructured a little bit in order to help the reader better understand them, but that isn't anything that couldn't easily be fixed. Also, as has already been said, splitting your story up into paragraphs helps the reader follow along easily.

I think it's awesome that you played Christian music for the chicks. I'm betting that when you hear them making noise, they are probably busy worshiping God. :)

Thank you for sharing.
Mandy White
03/17/08
Thanks for this! Reminds me of my grandma's chicks. Lovely story.
Catrina Bradley
03/18/08
You brought back so many memories of new chicks in the coop! Thanks for sharing this - I love that God's music even gives his animals peace. Lovely!
K. J. Cash
03/18/08
Happy Easter! What a dear story. Very sweet and touching with the little musical chicks. I really think spiritual music would affect their personalities.

Now a suggestion, perhaps not everyone would agree that it is necessary, but I think all this story needs now is a good application. What do you hope others will do as a result of reading your story?

Thank you so much for sharing this!
Joy Faire Stewart
03/19/08
I like the first person account. Hope this is a true story because it's a lovely. Great job!
Debbie Wistrom
03/20/08
Just in time for spring-great timing. I could feel your MC's excitment too, she is well prepared and will be greatly blessed. I have been blessed by reading this, thanks!