Yesterday morning we woke up and, while my husband was having his cup of coffee, we noticed there were 3 chicks following one of our hens! Hubby had spotted her just a few days ago huddled down in the long grass, not willing to move an inch off those eggs. We let her be, and she did her thing.
Of course, after we spotted the adorable fuzz balls, we had to go out and get a closer look. As we come out, our pets slowly immerge from their resting places in the garage. Immediately the mama hen, sensing danger, begins her cluck-clucking to bring all her chicks under her wings. She found the safety of our oregano bush and was frantic to get them all in and under her before anything happened.
This is a hen that calmly pecked and scratched around our pets a mere month ago. In fact, when our pets and we are outside in the morning it means feeding time for everyone! That hen would have been right in the mix of the cats and dog attempting a snatch and run from the pet bowls.
My how different the world looks when we become parents! Dangers that we never thought of suddenly send us cluck-clucking to protect our children. We read ingredients when we are pregnant making sure this food is safe for our growing baby. We walk into a room and scan the floor for small bits of paper and tiny objects making sure its a safe place for our crawler. We scour the internet for the best cribs, books, schools, and shoes. We yell so they don't run across a street or jump from a high rock wall. We wear masks, lock our doors, and shield them from the news. It's a big, scary world and we want to keep our kiddos safe, healthy, and secure.
You can see the fear in her eye! "Get over here right now!" She's afraid - petrified! - that something might happen to her dear, little chick whom she already loves so deeply.
She's forgetting that the 'farmers', the ones that have fed her, cared for her, and protected her are right here. We wouldn't let anything happen to those 3 chicks of hers. In fact, we will help her care for them, protect them, and raise them.
Don't I do the same thing. I forget that the God who created my children, gave them specifically to me; the God who loves me, cares for me, provides for me - the God of the universe! - is right here. He's right here with me. He won't let anything happen to my children that isn't good for their faith. He will help me care for them, protect them, and raise them.
We do not parent alone.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
