The prayer of the chicken hawk

Imagine flying high over the grassy plains searching with piercing eyes for dinner down below.

The sun is warm on our backs as we catch the heated updrafts and rest, always watching, always praying, that dinner will be provided for the little ones back in the nest. 

Dinner will be provided, of that the hawk is sure. It has faith.

But the faith and the prayer will not put the chicken in its talons. It is going to have to keep looking, and, when it spots the prey, its wings will fold back, and its sleek body will plummet out of the sky.

 It will brake quickly with broad wings and clasp the unsuspecting supper on the fly. 

Like the hawk, once we have prayed, we must get to work.

Our goal isn't going to be done for us. We can pray for the strength and wisdom we will need to get it done, and that prayer will be answered.  But, as the hawk knows, it's up to us to do the work.

Promises that are made, but not kept, quickly hamper any progress we dream of making. They hang like weights on our shoulders, reminding us of our weak resolve.

Only actions can fulfill our promises. Perhaps we'd do well to make a promise, any promise, only for a day. We can always renew it tomorrow.

The additional and unexpected gift is that a promise kept, no matter its magnitude, enhances our self-image.

 And since we can only live one day at a time, no promise need be made for longer.

All of us can manage to fulfill one promise, for one day, if we believe in it and in ourselves.