Text for: JIM The White Crow |
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| It was a beautifully warm and sunny afternoon on
the farm late in May of 1937 when I said to my wife, “The crows are
killing too many of our chicks, I think I'll go destroy some of the crow's
nests. Would you like to come along?” She always enjoyed a walk in
the field, so off we went pulling our year old son in a wagon. When we got to the trees where the crows were nesting, I threw a large stone at a nest. As the nest shook from the impact I saw a white wing appear and exclaimed, “Look, there is one of our chicks in the nest!” I quickly climbed up to the nest and to my surprise; it was not our chick, but a young white crow! It was snow white — not one black or gray feather — with it's pink eyes, beak, and feet it was truly an albino. It's two brothers, or sisters, were both glistening black as crows usually are. Since they were just about old enough to leave the nest, I quickly grabbed Jim (as we soon called him) and took him down to show my wife. We fed him on scraps from the table (better than he would have had in the trees) and he grew into a fully feathered family pet. He was so beautiful, so radiantly white. However, these were difficult depression days for the farmer and money was very scarce. With winter fast approaching we could see that we desperately needed money for some of the necessary food items to carry us through. We finally concluded that we must try to sell “Jim” I knew of a store in Chicago I thought would buy him. After a few days, with a sad heart, I made a small box with a wire front and with Jim in it I boarded the electric train for Chicago. To this day I do not know why I took my seat in the second coach. I guess we do many things and we do not know why. As I sat there the conductor came to punch my ticket and inquired what was in the box. “Oh,” I said, “have a look — it’s a snow white crow. You may never see another one in your life.” He allowed that that may be so, but crows, either white or black did not interest him, and he went back to punching tickets. It was not long until another man came along and asked if he could sit next to me. I answered he certainly could, and as we exchanged greetings as you would do in those days, he asked what I had in the box. So I showed him, and he just looked and looked and looked. He then asked me if it was a family pet and where I was taking it. “I am taking it to a bird store in the city,” I replied. “Have they already bought it?” he asked. “No, but I think they will take it on consignment.” “Would you consider selling it now?” was his next question, which made my heart start to pound with anticipation. “I certainly will,” I said, trying to control my emotion. “What will you take?” was his next query. I told him that I reckoned I would take $20.00, to which he replied by reaching for his wallet. You can imagine my excitement as we traded parcels. He then told me that he and his boys had, not long before, spent a week-end trying to catch a white crow near their country town about 40 miles away. With my early arrival home there was rejoicing you could be sure. My wife was elated because now we could buy the necessary ingredients for canning and preserving vegetables from our large garden. Now, we come to the wonderful point of my story. I know who it was that set this sequence of events into motion — the Great Provider. I have learned there is no such thing as luck. I want you to notice how God arranges our lives. “It is the goodness of God that leadeth thee to repentance.” (Romans 2,4) Here is God's timetable: First, I am brought to the point of dependence on Him; I have to sell Jim. Second, Mr. Baker is looking for a white crow. Third, I board the same train as he and take a seat in the same coach. Fourth, he over-hears the conversation with the conductor. Fifth, he has this large sum of money with him. Do you see what I mean about my God? This same Provider has provided us with a Savior before we even knew we were sinners. “All men have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3, 23) Do you know my Provider — God? Do you know my Savior — Jesus? “But my God shall abundantly supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4,19) W.H.C |
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