Tough Love

Our church recently participated in an Egg to Chick program where we set eggs in an incubator and cared for and monitored them until they hatched. They were scheduled to hatch on day 21 but several came on day 19 and 20. A small message that Divine Order is truly what is in control.

When the chicks begin the process of pipping, pecking their way out of the shell. They have to peck thousands of times just to create a small hole in the shell in order to breath. After this feat, they take a 5 to 8 hour nap.

Once rested, it takes another two to five hours for the chick to cut its way 3/4 around the egg and an additional 40 minutes of squirming, struggling and pushing against the egg cap to break free. The chick then takes another well deserved nap after which, it begins to rise to its feet and gains control of its muscles.

The interesting thing is if you help them with any of this process they will not thrive, they will not have developed their lungs and muscles or the strength to survive.

What a great lesson in tough love, sometimes it is hard to watch our loved ones struggle with life lessons. It seems so easy for us to break through a small shell. We instinctively want to help them and to make life a bit easier for them. However, when we do this we rob them of the necessary skills, and/or the strength they need to survive in life on life's terms.

Tough love is the spiritual practice of allowing, allowing all people to experience the full spectrum of growing up. It is not easy, but it is necessary.

© 2010 by Becky Benes
www.onenessoflife.com