There are seasons to life. No new thought there. We start out with our little brood stumbling around our feet, staying as close to mama as they can, welcoming protection and that enveloping wing when things are stormy or there may be a predator nearby. As they begin to 'develop their feathers' they get braver and they venture out further... tasting what there is to taste from a safe distance, mama still near. Then comes the part of parenting that you know you've been gearing up for. All was for this moment. It's right. It's proper. But sometimes it's hard. This sitting up here on my perch, watching from afar. Two of my chicks are still within 'pecking' distance :) but two have flown the coop and I'm still adjusting to the feel of that wing tucked to my side, the one that used to gather, shield and protect. So I sit up on my lofty seat praying prayers of thankfulness, prayers of encouragement and love for my little chickies in the valley. Then I swoosh back down to 'peck' and gather the ones I can still get my wing over... I think they're content in it, for this season.
Blessings, Debbie
Very beautifully written. I know the feeling well. I just went to visit with one of my son's who lives in another state. It was good to see him doing so well but part of me wishes that I could turn the clock back and have that time with him again!
ReplyDeleteAh mother hen....so wise and watchful. Remember the verse where it tells us God wants to gather us under his wings like a mama hen? It is so comforting to know that you don't really out grow that need...that God never really says, "Well, you're on your own now. Good luck." And you good mamas don't ever say that either.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture with the sun behind the comb.
I'm sure they are VERY content to warm that spot under Mama's wing. I still like to huddle under my mama's wing. Everything feels so "right" there.
ReplyDeleteSweet and so very true!
ReplyDeleteBuff Orpington? Gorgeous foxglove. That season is still a way off for me, thankfully!! BTW you can come school with us any old time. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy. JB
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous chicken! I still have all my chickies around me right now, except sometimes it feels like I'm the one being pecked.
ReplyDeleteThis is good. So true. My daughter is 20 and it is interesting to watch our relationship evolve. Thankfully, my own mom set a great example to me of how to do that! She is my inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and so true!
ReplyDeleteDeanna
Lovely and the pictures are a perfect companion to what you have written. Prayers. Oh so thankful we have the Lord to share our hearts with.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie...
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to check in again.
My chickens are my "babies" too.
; )
XO
On Sunday, the president of our church announced the moving back of acceptable age for our young missionaries - from nineteen to eighteen. The kids erupted in joy - the mothers in sudden panic that they had just lost that last year of childhood. My own are back, and truly, when they come back, they are men - not used to hens hovering anymore. But Wonderful men - better than I could have made them at home. (Not all turn out this way - only the ones with sense or sweetness.) Now, they have wives. One has children. It's so strange and different and then strange and normal. But I will never come off my perch.
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