Important Lessons from The Little Red Hen

Do you remember reading The Little Red Hen when you were young? As a child, I remember learning several lessons from this book. Last week in my Bible reading, those same lessons kept coming to my attention. I want to share a few lessons from The Little Red Hen that I was reminded of in the Bible.

Summary of The Little Red Hen

The little red hen lived on a farm with her chicks. She found a wheat seed and decided to do what she needed to do to turn the seed into bread. This was a lot of work as she had to plant it, cut it, thresh it, carry it to the mill, and then make the bread.

The little red hen asked for help from the other farm animals, but no one wanted to help. One was too lazy, another was consumed with his own activities, and the other one thought he was too good for those tasks. She was disappointed and exhausted, but she took on the jobs alone.

When the bread was ready and all of the farm animals could smell the aroma drifting through the farm. At that point, they all wanted to help eat it. You probably know how the story ended – they did not get any bread!

What Does the Bible Say

In John chapter 4, Jesus was talking about the “harvest.”

“Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months and then comes the harvest?’ Listen to what I am telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest. The reaper is already receiving pay and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.'”
John 4:35-37

Did you catch it? We are not meant to do everything? The Lord calls us all to do different tasks in His Kingdom. One plants, someone else may water, another person fertilizes, and someone else may be the person who reaps. All of the roles are just as important as the others. If no one planted and took care of the plant, there would be no harvest or reaping.

On the other hand, we need to do our part. If we don’t, we are being just like the farm animals and leaving all of the work for someone else.

Lessons from The Little Red Hen

• Working together lessens the pressure for one person to get things done.
• Always help others when you are able to do so.
• Don’t expect to have a share in the harvest if you don’t invest or help.
• We all have a unique purpose and mission to fulfill.
• Each role in the Kingdom is important. They are all different, but they work together to get the results.
• When we do our part in the Lord’s work, we can rejoice.

The Victory

In The Little Red Hen, the one who did the work got to enjoy the bread. In John, “The sower and the reaper can rejoice together…” What a blessing – when we do our part, regardless of what that is, we get to rejoice in the harvest.

The next time you get the opportunity to spiritually plant, water, fertilize, or reap, take it. Not only will the ones you pour into be blessed, but you will be blessed and get to experience true rejoicing!

Related Post – Cornbread Recipes

In the spirit of the little red hen, I thought I would share a couple of bread recipes (cornbread). 😊

Earlier this week I came across a post by Heidi at Eleanor Rose Home. She shared her “Quick and Easy Jiffy Cornbread With Cake Mix Recipe.” I made it and took the muffins to work for something we like to call, Deal or Dud. Everyone tries the new product or recipe, and we all give our opinion – deal or dud. This was definitely a deal – everyone really liked the muffins.

If you prefer a savory cornbread instead, see “How to Make My Parents’ Homemade Cornbread Recipe.”

Both of these recipes are delicious! I hope you will give them a try and share your thoughts.

Scripture

“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.'”
Matthew 9:37

Song

Have you heard “Do Something” by Matthew West? It is appropriate and powerful! Listen to it and let’s all do something this week.

If you have enjoyed this post and have not signed up for our email, please join us! This will allow you to receive the posts directly to your inbox. The sign-up is below.

Until next week…

Have a Grace & Joy-Filled Day!
Susan

disclosure: affiliate links are used on this page. Thank you for supporting Home with Grace and Joy. When you purchase an item, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19