You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2010.
Many people don’t know this about me but I’m a bit of an amateur farmer. It’s one of the things that drew us to our home and property that we bought last year in Goshen – 15 minutes west of Fayetteville. We have about 5 acres. I have a farm dog, Sutton, my golden retriever. Although, he pretty much just stays in the house and enjoys a pretty comfortable life with Sarah, Joshua, and our lap dog, Jasper.
As far as true farm animals we have 8 laying hens and a rooster. I have really grown to love them. I didn’t realize how much until yesterday when something quite exciting happened. I don’t let my chickens run around the property because of predators – hawks and neighborhood dogs. However, yesterday after I fed and watered them I forgot to close the latch on their coop. It was very windy and the door ended up swinging open and all the chickens got out.
Even though I tried about three times I wasn’t able to herd them back into the pen. They were having way too much fun finding bugs around the house. (I really wish I could let them roam free for this reason – and, it makes eggs healthier and much better tasting.) Anyhow, Sarah convinced me to let them be and go on with my day and they would eventually go back to the coop.
About an hour later, after I tried and failed to get Joshua to take a nap, I decided to go check on them. They had made it around to the front of the house, so I decided to herd them back to the north side to keep them out of sight of any dogs. As I moved them over I counted only 7 hens and the rooster so I got a little worried. After walking around our property for a minute or so I heard the most awful clucking and screeching and ran toward where it was coming. Sure enough a dog was biting on one of my chickens. I was furious!
As soon as the dog caught sight of me he ran off. Immediately after the dog fled the chicken ran straight for me (about 30 feet or so) and stood right beside me just sort of resting her body on my leg. You may think I’m weird about what I’m about to say but that’s okay. I really started getting emotional. This chicken knew me – what I looked like, the sound of my voice and ran to me for safety. After walking together back toward the coop I picked her up and inspected her to see if she was all there. She was shaken up but seemed okay. I put her back in the coop and then was able to herd the other chickens into the coop with her.
What was blog-worthy about this was how the Lord Jesus taught me and blessed me through it. I was reminded that He is my Good Shepherd. I know Him and I hear His voice. He saved me (and saves me daily) from the evil one – the worst predator. He pursued me (and pursues me daily) and I run to Him for safety. He shows me, much like I show my chickens every day when I feed and water them and clean up after them, that He loves me and will take care of me. As a result of His faithful care for me I know His voice and trust Him.
