I had a beautiful experience this evening.
I left my house to quickly get something close by. Walking down the street and taking in the evening breeze, my attention was drawn to a frenzy flapping and agitation of a hen. When I drew closer and peered at where the attention of the hen was, I noticed that its chicks were in the gutter.
I stood watching for a brief moment and wondering to myself how all the chicks got in there, how long they have been there and how they would make their way out if they don’t get help.
The chicks were so tender to flap their wings and looked somewhat like a week old or less.
It was amusing watching them go about picking their food with carefree abandon oblivious that they could be in danger while the mother hen paced to fro apparently worried for them and helpless at the same time.
Unsheltered and away from the protective cocoon of their mother, if a hawk does not get to them, the first rain that comes down could wash them away.
Just as I was about to walk away, a young guy who was sitting on his bike and staring at me and the chicks all the while asked if I wanted to help them. We both devised a rescue means; he will jump into the gutter and get the chicks out while I hold on to the mother hen. With the plan in place, we quickly swung into action and within minutes, he was able to get out all the 8 chicks who were squirming and seemed angry that we were spoiling their twilight show.
I let go of the mother hen, made a quick dash before I feel her wrath, and watched with great contentment as she led her chick away.
Watching the hen lead her chicks away reminds me of myself.
Aren’t we really like the chicks?
Always straying off from the protective love and shield of the father and getting ourselves into trouble because we want to pick the crumbs of life.
Anger, offenses, lack of faith and the lust of the flesh pull us back into the gutters of life and most of the time, we have no idea how endangered we become in the pits.
Just like the occasion could easily expose the chicks to the prey of the hawk or flood, I think that is also how threatened we become each time we give in to the flesh that pulls us away from the safety nest of the father.
Just like that mother hen did not give up on her chick but raised enough dust until she attracted a passer-by who came to their rescue, that is how the love of the father is.
He never gives up on us no matter how lost we may seem.
He consistently nudges us back to safety through the gentle prodding of His words, the stirring of our hearts, through a sermon from one of His servants, through a song or even through the analogy a hen and her chicks.
As I walked on greatly delighted about the experience, I could not help but imagine the joy that fills the heart of the father each time one sinner is rescued from the pit of hell.
I muttered a quick thank you to God for saving my life and blessed the soul He used to rescue me but mostly for never giving up on me each time I stray.