Be Ye Separate

Another Homestead Reality

Blessings!

   Well, another homestead reality today. Hard as it is, our homestead is more than a petting zoo and sometimes our necessary choices are not always popular.

   Charity Chicken before she took ill.

   Today we lost (dispatched) a favorite laying hen. Charity Chicken. These are not our meat hens. This particular one had a hard start in life and simply had issues throughout these months.

   When she was just a few days old, she was sickly. Daughter Sarah nursed her to health. Then when she was just 4 months old she suddenly became mysteriously lame in one leg. Through several weeks of "physical therapy" our Sarah managed to nurse her back yet again. She regained use of the leg and was our first layer. Sarah had named her Charity because she felt that God had shown the hen charity in healing  those first two times.

   Charity took ill again a week ago. She suddenly and without explaination could not use either leg. She was at first spasming in them and had them curled tightly under her. After a couple days her legs went limp. At first Sarah thought that with "therapy" and soaks she would improve. We had warned her several times that the hen simply might need to be put down. She knows how our homestead works and she truly understands it but she held out hope.

   Last night, Sarah came to us and said, "It's time". We talked this morning about it and though our Sarah was in tears over it, she knew that it was our responsibility to take care of the animals in whatever way it takes to make sure they are safe and healthy and comfortable. Not knowing if Charity was in pain and knowing that she was unable to pass waste or an egg that her system would eventually become poisoned. The deed was done at 2pm and Sarah cried for an hour.

   An important lesson to be learned on our homestead is not only the animals need to earn their keep, in whatever capacity that is, but it is our responsibility, given us by God our Creator, to do what is right for these animals. If we cannot nurse them to health then it is irresponsible to keep them alive for our own selfish reasons. Learning to let go is one of the hardest lessons but an important one.

   Something that is missing in society is talking about death. No one wants to mention it. Children are shielded from it. Others make light of it. When grandparents get on in years they are sent off to a home where visiting is done (when they feel like it) until it becomes too uncomfortable. Then the phonecall comes and it's over. Explanations are simple, "_______ died last night." Most children don't attend the funerals of loved ones and folks think that ends it. How sad for those children who had a gramma or grampa, brother, sister, mother, father or other loved one, one day, then the next day they are gone without a trace.

   Our children know that death is a part of life. A certainty. Only one person has ever escaped it and because of that we are given the gift of eternal life. We must all face that day when we will pass on into eternity. Our children must face it just as we must face it. One day my own parents will be gone. I must, one day, tell them goodbye forever on this earth. Just as I said goodbye to my precious Cassandre.

   I am not afraid of death. My husband is not afraid of it. Even our children are not afraid of it. Why? Because they have the promise of a King. Just as we must do what is right for these animals, so does our Father in heaven do what is right for us.

   Be blessed as you go about your homestead life. Some of our decisions may not be easy but they are a way of life. Not always a popular thing but we do our best and pray that we were being good stewards of what we have been blessed with.

God be with thee!

Sister Lori

Untitled Comment

{ 20:27, Wednesday, September 26, 2007 } { Posted by chimicole }

Dear sweet Sarah~
I said a prayer for you today. You are much stronger than I, for I could never say when it is time. You are a blessed young lady, and I am blessed for being able to hear of such wonderful qualities you have!
Love and hugs~
Julie :)