The hen which does not sit on her eggs!
 
(Charles Spurgeon, "Flowers from a Puritan's Garden" 1883)
 
"A hen that soon leaves her nest, never hatches her chicks."
 
How can she? Patience is needed, and the quiet self-denial by which she renders up the warmth of her heart - otherwise her eggs will lie as dead as stones!
 
Just so, a sudden glance at truth without meditation upon it, does not profit. The value of truth will never be known, by those who look at it and hurry on. They must brood over it, and cover it with their heart's love - or it will never become living truth to their souls. We must apply ourselves to a doctrine, giving our whole soul and heart to it - or we shall miss the blessing.
 
Lord, when I hear a sermon, or read in a good book - let me not be as the hen which neither sits on her eggs, nor hatches them. But make me to ponder Your Word, and to rejoice over it as one who finds great spoil.
 
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful!" Joshua 1:8