Faith

It started off normally enough. Getting ready for work as I normally do. I was on time and was picking up my things to head out the door. As I shut the door behind me, I reached for my keys. Wouldn't you know it, as I reached for the door to lock it, I lost my grip on the bag that I was holding. It crashed to the porch breaking 3 of the dozen eggs inside. Arrgggg!

You are probably wondering why I would be carrying eggs with me to work when I work an office job. You see, I have a hobby. I currently have 150 chickens roaming a 3 acre pasture. It started off innocently enough with a request by my then girlfriend for chickens. I opened up a spreadsheet and went to work. When I was all done, I unveiled my grand plan to Rose. Her response? I was thinking maybe 6 or 8 chickens. No, that's not how we do things here, No half stepping. My plan showed how we will get chicks every 4 months and each run will be a different breed. I compared straight runs with sexed purchases, bagged vs bulk feed. There were a few projects that required both capital investment as well as time.

One of those projects was to make feed troughs that could feed 150 chickens simultaneously. They had to fit against a wall, be easy and inexpensive to build. They had to be easy to clean and it was important that I would be able to put feed into them while chickens were clamoring to eat. Of course I could purchase something but where would the fun in that be? I had an engineering challenge! Again, no half stepping!

Based on my calculations, egg sales should almost cover our expenses and keep this hobby's cost to a minimum. That plus the sale of stew chickens and home made chicken broth will help us make some high quality food while providing a wonderful life to a flock of chickens.

I got the eggs cleaned up and put all of my things into the car. But as I started the car I realized that I had egg all over my dress pants. At times like this, when I get delayed and my irritation rises, I try to imagine that the Great Spirit is delaying me in order to avoid a great calamity.

Faith is not something you have; It's something that you choose.