A CHICKEN STORY

Her name was Henny Penny.

A cute little black-and-white-feathered chicken.

Let me tell you how she and I became friends.

Many years ago, I lived in a small, two-bedroom rental.  It was a quaint little place – I really liked it.

Except it was on the corner of an intersection that had all kinds of activity.

Evidently, I was the unknowing tenant who resided on "Dead Man's Curve."  In the four years that I lived there, there were at least two bad car accidents, and many near misses.

But I digress.

Suffice it to say, I was used to random *bustle* outside the door.

But one morning, I heard all this shouting.  Looking outside the window, I saw several children, yelling and throwing rocks into the yard!

Of course, like an avenging angel, I swooped out and shouted, "What are you DOING?"

Amidst a cacophony of high-pitched screeching, I was able to determine that their chicken had "escaped" their backyard up the street, and landed in the tree in my side yard.

They wanted it back.

Well, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that these kids were hooligans, and that that poor chicken had barely escaped with her life.

I told them that she was in my backyard, and they weren't allowed on my property.

Grumbling threats – (did I hear someone say *cherry bomb*?) – they stomped off. 

Only to return about half an hour later with a couple of dads in tow.

More shouting, more threats.

However, I basically told them that I wasn't about to let anyone climb a ladder on my property (liability), that they’d better stop their kids (brats) from throwing rocks at my house (let alone the chicken), and if she had a mind to stay – well, that was her choice.

I think they came back another time or two.  I held my ground.  And they gave up.

Well, there she was – Henny Penny – firmly roosted in my tree.

I felt sorry for her.

She'd stay out there all night – in the dark and the cold.

Every time I woke up, I'd see her in the tree.  Every time I'd come home after dark, I'd see her in the tree.  Even when it rained and stormed, I'd see her in the tree.

A few times I saw her on the ground, but as soon as I opened the back door and went outside, she'd fly back up to the tree for safety.

I remember thinking, "How can I get her to trust me?"

Well, of course it's no surprise that she didn't.  After all, who knows what terrible treatment she received at the mercy of those other (horrible) people??

So, I launched a campaign to win her trust.

I'd go out every day and talk to her.  I'd say good night every night.  I'd put chicken feed out for her on the ground.

After a long time, several weeks as I recall, she'd finally stay on the ground when I was outside.  Then, she'd let me get closer and closer to her.

And then…one day…I left the back door open when I went back into the house. 

She walked up the steps and looked in. 

But, as soon as I stepped toward her – back to the tree.

Finally, one day she didn't leave.  

She walked right into my house and let me pick her up!!!

It was so very cool.

From that day forward, she would come into the house every day. 

I can remember picking her up and putting her on my lap, where she'd nestle in and take a nap while I stroked her little red comb and feathers.

It made me so very happy.

I had finally been able to communicate to her that I wasn't like all the other people she had known.  I wasn't mean and vindictive.  

I was kind and gentle and loving – I could be trusted.

I still think about Henny...

And about trust.

Sometimes, in my relationship with God, I'm just like she was – skittish, unsure, scared, distrustful.

Sometimes I base my trust on my past experiences. 

I judge God's character by the various "characters" that have peppered my past. 

I rate His trustworthiness by the people in my life who have hurt, disappointed, rejected, and criticized me.

I stay in the tree.

But isn't there a HUGE part of God's heart that is desperate to show me that HE is not those other people? 

That He is kind and gentle and loving?

That He is eminently worth every ounce of my trust?

It seems to me that in some ways, God is always wooing us "into the house" to rest in His arms.

He is always seeking to show us that He is a very safe place to land.  

He wants us to hide in the shadow of His wings – secure, with no thought of fear.

Yes, I finally won Henny's heart.

But God did an amazing thing to prove His love – He gave up His Son.

Today, I hear Him calling me. 

I see Him standing in the doorway, beckoning me inside where it's warm and safe.

"Sharon, won't you please come down from that tree?"

You know, I think I will.

It's better than sitting out here in the dark!

Do your past experiences ever keep you from trusting God completely today?

Sometimes
God calls us
to break out of our shells.

"'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.'" (John 10:27-28, ESV)

"'And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.'" (John 6:39, NLT)

"And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security." (Job 11:18, ESV)

"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain..." (Hebrews 6:19, ESV)

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." (Psalm 40:1-2, ESV)

"Those who fear the LORD are secure..." (Proverbs 14:26, NLT)


"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him...

He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day...
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you...

If you make the LORD your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you...
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands...

The LORD says, 'I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.'"


(From Psalm 91, NLT)



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