INSPIRASUNS

I shared a few months ago in this little blog about the Florida chicken we have in our little community. It’s not really a chicken but it sure acts like one. It’s a cute little black bird with a red beak, and when it walks, it does so with a chicken-like gait.

Anyway, yesterday morning when I was sitting on the lanai chatting with Father one of these birds came strutting along. I noticed the head come into view and I smiled to myself thinking “Good morning little chicken”. Just as it came into full view, I noticed something. I quickly jumped to my feet and walked to the edge of our patio to see three itty-bitty babies. Yes, our little chicken, had even littler chickens behind her. She guided them down by our lake to graze I guess, and I noticed that the little chick bringing up the rear was lagging behind. He, (not sure if it was a he, but we’ll call him so), eventually caught up to the group and they disappeared grazing off in the distance. I thanked Father for the gift of that little family. I know it sounds silly but it just made me feel happy watching these new little chicks.

Well, last night my husband and I were sitting on the lanai and we noticed the momma chicken coming out from a bush. Sure enough here came her little brood behind her, but we noticed there were only two. Almost as quickly as she came out, she scampered back under the bush, almost pushing the chicks in. She stayed there for a few minutes and then came out by herself. We watched her make her way down the side of our building to cross the street in front of our driveway. We could see a few other birds there. She stayed for a moment and then high-tailed it back the way she came. Into the bush, she went, and out came her babies. Again, only two of them. It was fascinating that those two little babes stayed in that bush until she came back.

They followed behind her as she made her way back down the side of the building and to the street. As we watched those two little chicks follow Mom, I was feeling so sad, the little guy that was bringing up the rear earlier in the day, had been injured or attacked by a predator. The mom made her way across the street, her babies in tow and we noticed she stopped just before a curb on the other side. There is another lake on that side so we guessed she was taking her brood over there. Anyway, as she stopped a the curb we noticed something, she hopped up, and the two chicks followed, but wait, there right behind a third chick joined. The third little baby must have wandered off earlier.

We realized that early when she had made her way across the street, she went looking for him. That pair of birds that I mentioned, well they were almost guarding him.

Friends, in this world of constant technology, digital this, scan that, watch this, scroll through that, you know what, nothing can replace the one-on-one contact with another person, (or chicken). I guess this may be a stretch but watching that momma care for her babies without a digital device, well it was refreshing. It made me think of all the ways we as humans are disconnected now, and it’s sad.

So, today, take a lesson from the chickens, step away from your devices, go enjoy a book, pick up your art project, take a walk outside, or share stories with your kids or grandkids. Do something that doesn’t require a screen :-).

Have a good day friends.

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.