We slipped into the back entrance of the State Fair. We waited for a few minutes for the birthing barn to open. It is a great way to start a day at the fair. The first case was filled with small oval shaped eggs. Some were rocking every so slightly. A few had the tell tale signs of life within. On one, the shell was cracked and the chick was actively trying to escape its white prison. Four or five dirty, wet and exhausted chicks lay in the wood chips. Occasionally one would rally and take a step and flay its wings.
The next case held fluffy little chicks scurrying from one side the other side. People wandered around looking a smiling and it was hard to tell who was having more fun. The sounds of contents peeping and the chattering of people all blended into a cacophony of joy.
Then our eyes rose to the surrounding pens. A mama cow was so ready to give birth. Her tail swished and the body was stretched and she waited. Any day or probably any moment the calf would make the journey. In the very next stall, an attentive mama licked her 22 min old calf. She nudged it. She moved down one side and then the other. Then the calf stretched out it’s legs and slowly stood. Then with an exhausted wobble fell back into the wood chips. The mom kept licking and the calf kept struggling trying to find its feet.
We headed for the door and the rest of the fair, but honestly I could have left right then. It was so refreshing, so enlivening, so encouraging. The fresh, the new, the excited surrounded us in that room. It made me drink in hope and love and support.
The rest of the day was filled with pleasure (fried food winners and corny dogs!) and friendship as we wandered from the Strong Man to the Butter sculptor on to the food sampling circuit and to the Texas Hall of State and then finishing up with the car show and the bird show. It was a great day.
We should start every day asking God for the new creation that is promised to us.
“God make me new today. Love me like a mother hen or a mama cow. Give strength to my feeble legs. Fill me with wonder and joy and let me share it with my friends.”