I like chickens!

I like chickens. There is something noble and grounding about chickens. A healthy hen reminds me of my mother’s aunts, handsome in a hard working farmer’s wife kind of way, a different honest kind of beauty. Solid. Nothing airbrushed there.  Plus, they eat bugs. Anything that gets rid of bugs is okay with me.

I follow several chicken pages on Facebook. It’s kind of silly; a city girl like me, reading up on caring for chickens. Repeatedly people post pictures of a plump chicken with her wings out, covering a fluffy little group of chicks. She is fierce looking, ever vigilant against any danger to her babies.

In Psalm 91, the Psalmist paints a picture of God as a bird, perhaps a hen, who spreads her wings and covers her children, protecting them.

“The person who rests in the shadow of the Most High God will be kept safe by the Mighty One. I will say about the Lord, ‘He is my place of safety. He is like a fort to me. He is my God. I trust in him.’

He will certainly save you from hidden traps and from deadly sickness. He will cover you with his wings. Under the feathers of his wings you will find safety. He is faithful. He will keep you safe like a shield or a tower. You won’t have to be afraid.”

Because God is our protection, we can huddle like protected babies, safe under his protection.

We often think of God as our Father, and in fact scripture speaks of him this way often. But God is also like a Mother, nurturing and protective, providing us with life and comfort and love. Jesus expressed this clearly as he lamented over Jerusalem. The religious leaders who should have been caring for them, directing and teaching and protecting them, were more interested in their own power. Jesus longed to gather his people and love them, like a hen with her chicks.

“Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and throw stones in order to kill those who are sent to you. Many times I have wanted to gather your people together. I have wanted to be like a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. But you would not let me!” Matt. 23:37

Jesus longed to gather the people of his day to himself and mother them. They rejected him. He longs to do the same to us. The people of our day are lost, rejecting him and running into danger, depending on their own resources when in reality they are fragile little chicks, ill equipped to handle the enemies of this world.

Jesus wants to Mother you. He wants to draw you to himself, spread his wings out over you and have you rest in his care. Often we are just too busy. We run about, busily handling things on our own, ignoring the wisdom and strength and peace that are available in his presence. He is so accessible to us, and we refuse even to know him more.

Stop, just for a minute today. Come to Jesus as a little child, trusting and willing to snuggle up and rest. Talk to Jesus like you would talk to your mother, learning from him and enjoying his presence.  He loves you. Believe.