“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed. His mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22)

Around 600 years before the birth of Christ, there lived a Greek slave who told stories with a point. His name was Aesop, and you’ve likely heard of Aesop’s Fables.
One story commonly attributed to him is The Milkmaid and Her Pail. It goes like this:

“A milkmaid was carrying a pail of milk on her head as she walked to the village market. Along the way, she started dreaming about what she would do with the money from the sale. She thought, ‘I’ll buy some chickens. Then when they start laying eggs, I’ll sell the eggs. With that money, I’ll buy the finest clothes. And then all the boys will certainly take notice of me.’

“She even imagined how the other girls in the village would envy her new clothes. And as she tossed her hair back, the milk spilled from the pail and splashed all over the ground. She returned home and told her mother what had happened.

“Her mother replied, ‘My child, do not count your chickens before they hatch.’”

The lesson, of course, is don’t count on something that hasn’t happened yet. Now, if we’re talking about our own plans in our own little kingdoms, that is certainly wise—even sage—advice. But in the kingdom of God, Jesus says that kind of thinking is, well, cracked.

Jesus says the opposite. He says, Go ahead. Count them. Even when you spill the milk.

We’ve all had moments like the milkmaid—dreams spilled by distraction or disappointment. Sometimes we’re the ones who spill the milk through impatience, pride, or sin. And in those moments, the world says, That’s it. It’s over.

But Jesus says, Even when you failed, my grace is still growing. In his parable—it’s not a fable, it’s a promise—he plants seeds in broken ground and brings life from what looks like loss. Remember what the Scriptures say:

“…but where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (Romans 5:20)

Even when we feel disqualified, God says, I’m still working. The small acts matter. The ground you thought was ruined may become fertile with redemption.

Let’s stop rehearsing our regrets and start repenting. Let’s move from regret to grace-filled pursuit:

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on…” (Philippians 3:14)

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed. His mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22)

So if you’ve spilled the milk, go ahead—count your chickens, because grace has the final word.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for planting seeds of grace in broken ground. Where we have failed, forgive us. Where we are stuck in regret, lift our eyes. Let us walk forward in the freedom and fullness of Your grace. Amen.