Where Do You Roost

 Such beautiful little creatures they were.  Soft little balls of downy fluff with shiny black eyes.  Hard to believe that in a relatively short while they would be pudgy chickens with fully developed feathers.  They were so innocent and helpless, needing warmth from a heat lamp and lots of fresh water and special food.  Daily they grew,getting stronger and more feisty.  Soon they would be able to run freely in the barn yard.  They were watched with careful loving eye by one who made note of their size and progress.  Of course, as always, a few are extra special, worming their way deep into the heart of their keeper. Finally the day came when they were set free from their containment to frolic about the yard and enjoy the wonders of grass and bugs.  Oh how they rejoiced in their new found freedom!  

The end of that first day found them sleepy and content, ready to settle in for a comfy night of peaceful rest. The young'uns watched as all the other chickens sought out perches high above the ground. But, they were carefree and unconcerned and decided it would be much easier and far more comfortable to nest on the ground.  Their keeper was alarmed, for she well knew the dangers that lurked even in the barn yard at night.  The next few minutes were filled with squawking and flying feathers as the foolish birds were shaken and rattled from their cozy beds by the shouting and arm waving of one trying to teach them the lesson of roosting high above ground. Soon they found themselves in the rafters along with the other chickens and their keeper went off to seek her own bed.  Day after day this scene was repeated as the young chickens refused to see the point of perching high.  They were basking in the memory of a thrilling day in the sun and saw no reason for expending energy to climb up higher, energy  that might be better stored up for tomorrows adventures.  This battle of wills between the chicks and their keeper continued until one night, after the keeper had gone to bed, they decided it was too chilly to be in the rafters where the night breeze could blow up beneath them and ruffle their feathers.  They climbed down and dug a wonderful little hole in the dirt.  It was so cozy and warm that they were soon fast asleep.  

The first rays of morning light brought with it an awful scene.  What met the eyes of the keeper caused a gulp of horror followed by burning tears.  During the night a wilyweasel had chanced through the barn yard and found the unsuspecting chicks asleep on the ground.  The terrible slaughter that followed left but only a handful alive and those badly injured.  The heart stricken caretaker gently cradled the wounded survivors and nursed them back to health.  Never again did those young's roost on the ground for, at terrible cost, had they learned their lesson.  

I find it interesting that Jesus likened his people to chicks.  He saw their helplessness and also their stubbornness and His heart yearned over them.   God bids us, in His word, to seek refuge under His wings.  God is high and lifted up and wants to lift us higher where we can rest in His shadow.  What keeps us digging holes and nesting in the dirt?  

I believe it's time to seek higher ground.

Bonnie Morsette ~ 9/20/2011