Well, our “chicken sitting” came to an end on
Sunday. It wasn’t at all like I had
expected, mainly because there were only 6 fowl in the flock that we tended to
over the holiday weekend.
For the most part I only went along for the drive to keep my husband company on the long dirt roads.
Is that what you have in mind as well? Maybe not, but then you are probably more versed in the behavior of chickens. If not, believe me some can be “foul.” (pun intended)
Twice a day we took a road trip out to Chris’s farm to care for his animals. With a few chickens, roosters and a feral cat I guess it really isn’t called a farm, but it will do for now.
Without a care
in the world I scooped up a can full of scratch mix feed and walked out to the
open pen area to where the birds were.
Happily I scattered and tossed feed about the ground watching them run
and peck at the fresh food. I felt like
a little kid having a good time while playing in the field, talking and making
noises to the animals (as if they were holding a conversation with me).
A Steady Diet of God's Word
Due to the fact that I had been feeding regularly on the scriptures, God’s Word was effective in my life that day when I wasn’t looking to see what was happening around me.
Before I ever entered that property the shield of favor was already encamped about me through previous prayers.
For the most part I only went along for the drive to keep my husband company on the long dirt roads.
On the last day
of our schedule, I realized that I wasn’t getting the “full” experience of
tending the animals and that’s when I took part in the “feeding of the flock.”
What Comes to Your Mind?
When I think
about feeding a flock, I picture sweet little ducks or chicks the same way I do cute
little lambs. Nice, friendly and loving
creatures that anxiously await my arrival.Is that what you have in mind as well? Maybe not, but then you are probably more versed in the behavior of chickens. If not, believe me some can be “foul.” (pun intended)
It made me
wonder what Jesus thinks about His flock … I can imagine He isn’t always
as happy with us either.
From our
behavior it might appear that we were underfed in the Word of God and scattered
in our thinking.
What Does It Take to Feed A Flock?
Actually, it
doesn’t take a large amount of seed, food or water to maintain a chicken, but
it does take a steady regular diet for a bird to stay healthy. Twice a day we took a road trip out to Chris’s farm to care for his animals. With a few chickens, roosters and a feral cat I guess it really isn’t called a farm, but it will do for now.
On the last day
of our chicken experience I made my plea to my husband about being able to feed
the animals. He was happy to indulge
me. Thinking back I wonder if he just
wanted to get a laugh out of it.
After we arrived
I followed my husband into the chicken’s housing unit. It isn’t a coop so to speak, but half of a
converted shed that accommodates the birds.
He directed me to where the feed was and what to do. Even though I had been watching him all week,
I really wasn’t paying that much attention to what he was doing, but spent time
looking at the surroundings. It was so
quiet and peaceful way out in the country.
The can was
empty and so I turned to leave the pen.
As I walked and talked my husband let out this extremely loud
shout. “Hey!!!” followed by a growling
noise. I had no idea why he did that,
but Miss Kitty ran for the hills and so did the roosters.
Leaving the
gated area I asked him why he yelled.
“He
was coming after you.” “Who?” I asked. “That rooster…he was about to attack your
back.”
Being a bit
skeptical I asked, “Why would he do
that?” He was informed by the owner
that these guys have a habit of it and we were to be cautious when feeding
them. Now he tells me!
Before I was out
of the pen the scripture we have been studying popped in my head.
“For
You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with
a shield.” (Psalm 5L12 NKJV)
Immediately joy
overflowed in my heart. “You were my
shield of favor!” I blurted out to my husband.
When We Aren't Looking
Have you ever
stopped to consider how many times a day you could have gotten into a scrape
and didn’t realize it?
I know that there
have been plenty of times I was in danger when I called on the Lord to bail me
out of a situation, but there are probably more that we don’t about, I’m sure.
I knew the
roosters were there, but didn’t regard them or think I was in danger. To me, they were just chickens … cute little
birds that weren’t a threat. Until that
day I wasn’t aware that they often attack from behind.
Isn’t that like
satan? We forget that he is around and always
ready to do us harm. He will try to
catch us off guard or even attack from behind leaving his marks across our
backs. Although I thought I was in a
place of safety, God already knew in advance that my “innocence” over chicken
behavior would place me in the path of danger.
Why Adam named these creatures chickens is baffling to me, because there
certainly wasn’t anything “chicken” like in their behavior.
A Steady Diet of God's Word
Due to the fact that I had been feeding regularly on the scriptures, God’s Word was effective in my life that day when I wasn’t looking to see what was happening around me.
Before I ever entered that property the shield of favor was already encamped about me through previous prayers.
The Lord placed
my husband in the opposite direction of where I was standing so he would see
the rooster coming after me for the attack.
Normally he would have been standing right beside me like he did all
week, and would also have been a target for attacking.
God’s favor
shield was present and He used my husband to carry out His Word. It may not seem like a big thing to anyone,
but if you have seen the photographs and read the documents on how serious a
chicken attack is, you’d understand.
Throughout the
upcoming week take time out each day to thank God for His shield of favor that delivered
you from danger when you weren’t looking.
Like David we can say with confidence:
God’s
grace, goodness and unmerited favor of mercy follow me all the days of my life. (from
Psalm 23:6a )
Surely goodness and mercy lyrics, israel houghton
A Dance of Joy
Celebrate the
favor or God. I’ve never done the “chicken dance”, but just might as a reminder
of how blessed and favored I am by the Lord.
I watched this to learn how. They seemed to be quite joyful ...
Chicken
Dance at Wedding
... and yes, there
really is a chicken dance kids championship!
2012 Desert Classic Chicken Dance Championships - Kids Ballroom Dance Video
Until next time, praise God for His protection of favor!
What's New this week: 2014 Best Designer Smartphone Wristlets & Wallets
Maybe
you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of
favor in your life also. Click on the
above tab “Tell Me” for
more information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content and Image Copyright from
Favored1. Do not copy.
Image credit if not listed by Google Images Creative Common License
Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provide by Gateway Bible
Image credit if not listed by Google Images Creative Common License
Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provide by Gateway Bible
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