Did you know that chickens outnumber people by 3 to 1? At 7.9 billon people¹ in the world and 25 billion chickens² we can each have 3 chickens apiece! Talking about chickens may seem like a funny way to start a faith blog but keep reading. It will all work together.

But first, let’s see if you know the answers to some crazy chicken trivia.² Ready? Select your answers!

1. Chickens have the same DNA as:
   1. Penguins
   2. Squirrels
   3. Tyrannosaurus Rex
2. How many sounds can a chicken make?
   1. 30
   2. 65
   3. 7
3. What color eggs do chickens lay?
   1. Yellow, green, white, brown
   2. White, brown
   3. Pink, blue, white, brown

Let’s see how you scored! Pay attention, you may need these answers someday.

1. It is hard to believe but chickens have the same DNA as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. It’s a good thing that they don’t have size in common! Can you imagine a world full of giant chickens?
2. While we may not understand what they are saying, chickens make over 30 different sounds. In fact, these intelligent birds start communicating with their young before the chick hatches. Not only that but the chick answers them back from the shell!
3. Natural eggs, not Easter eggs, are pink, blue and of course the familiar white and brown.

Did you know your chicken trivia?

So, how do chickens tie to a faith blog?

Well, it’s not actually the chickens but my friend RuthAnn’s love for them.  She had a number of chickens and 20 ducks as well. Each and every one of them has a name like Faith and Hope. RuthAnn loved caring for them, watching them and talking about them. They brought her joy.

Are you still wondering, “Where is she going with this blog?” Well, let me explain.

You see, recently, the Lord called RuthAnn to her eternal home with Him in heaven. Though she fought cancer, she lived a victorious life. While battling this disease, she did things that brought her daily victory in the midst of her circumstances. Now, she has her ultimate reward as she rests in the everlasting arms of Jesus. Although she was not healed on this earth, she is now healed in heaven.

RuthAnn was a woman of faith. Now, I am not saying she was perfect. She had times of fear, doubt, frustration and so on. But even in the best of circumstances, don’t we all?

We all go through difficult battles whether physical, emotional or mental.

To be victorious in these difficult battles,
we can learn from RuthAnn’s example.

GROW YOUR FAITH

In the worst of times people can give up on God. But God never gives up on us. Deepening your relationship with Him and growing your faith, can bring you strength (Isaiah 41:10), wisdom (James 1:5), guidance (John 16:13), and peace, no matter what comes your way.

RuthAnn’s faith did not become stagnant when she became ill. She grew her faith, holding tightly to the Lord every step of the way. Even with her physical challenges, you could see His peace emanating from her.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

HOLD ONTO YOUR JOY

Don’t let your situation rob you of your joy. Keep contact with people who are uplifting. Do positive things that make you laugh and smile. Whether it is following RuthAnn’s example of caring for chickens, going on a sunset cruise or getting her nails done, do things that bring you joy for as long as you are able. Above all else find joy in the Lord.

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10

If you can no longer do something that brings you joy? Find something new to replace it.

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22

HELP OTHERS

Don’t we help others by showing them kindness and love? Repairing relationships, offering and asking for forgiveness, or providing for others’ needs are just a few examples. By removing the focus off ourself to help others, it helps us to curb our worries and increases our feelings of satisfaction. It not only improves other’s lives but it’s contagious! Our act may encourage them to do the same for someone else.

RuthAnn showed kindness, love and compassion by reaching out to those in need – even those in prison. She had a great love for people and animals alike. As she neared the end of her life, RuthAnn was still praying for others and sending caring notes.

In James 2:17, we are told to put our faith into action by doing good works. Did you know that when we do for others, it is like doing for Jesus?

Then the King, (Jesus), will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:34-36, 40

HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

It is easy to become bitter and complain when we lose relationships or the ability to do things that we love. Refocusing on what we can do and what we have had, even if it was just for a season, helps us to be thankful.  RuthAnn’s attitude of gratitude made her a blessing to herself and others.

“When we express gratitude and receive the same, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions, which make us feel ‘good’. They enhance our mood immediately, making us feel happy from the inside.”³  

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:20

RuthAnn Calhoun was a wonderful woman who loved the Lord. I am blessed to have been her friend.

Only God knows the number of days we have on this earth.

Only God knows what lies ahead of us.

Only with God can we be victorious through it all.

REFLECTION

Are you going though difficult times? Is there something you can do to grow your faith, find joy, help others or be thankful?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I write Isaiah 26:3 and say it aloud, open up my heart to grow my faith in You. Open my eyes to how I can help others. Help me to have an attitude of gratitude and find the joy you long for me to experience.  In Jesus name, Amen.

GROW YOUR FAITH TO GET YOU THROUGH TOUGH TIMES

If you enjoyed or benefited from my blog, please subscribe below for free and like my Facebook page.
You can connect with me on Facebook or by email through this website.
Thanks so much!
May your day be filled with love and laughter!

For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/

________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 Worldometer.info, 2020
2 chicken trivia – theimpressivekids.com, backyardchickens.com
3 aspenbraininstitute.org/blog-posts/gratitudeandthebrain
Chicks photo by Andrea Lightfoot, unsplash
Hen photo by Hannah Oliver, unsplash
Hen & chick photo by Andrea Lightfoot, unsplash