As a hen gathers her chicks...

There are many references in the Bible to God gathering us under His wings as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings. In our modern, germophobic culture, I think we've largely lost the significance of that imagery, which I believe is really sad.

So imagine, if you will, the following...

A mother hen sits in the chicken house with her adorable little chicks running around her as she clucks, scolding. The chicks peep contentedly, because they know their mother is nearby and will protect them. If they range too far, the mother pulls them back with a crooning call. They don't worry about how they're going to live the next day; they simply rest in the fact that their mother will provide for them.

Now a fine specimen of Homo Ignoramus enters the scene. The mother hen lets out an urgent cluck, and the chicks go silent and run under her wings. She settles in a corner with all her feathers puffed up, effectively daring our Ignoramus to come near her babies.

The Ignoramus, being what he is, goes closer to the hen and attempts to lift her up to see the chicks underneath, whereupon the hen gives him a few good, sound pecks. The Ignoramus retreats, clutching his wounded appendages, and vows never to upset a mother hen again.

I especially love this image of God, imperfect though it is, because it shows what kind of love He has for us. When we stray, He pulls us back to Himself gently, even when we resist. And if anything tries to take us from Him, He gathers us under His wings and defends us fiercely. Knowing this, we can rest confidently in Him.

Meditation... (enough with the Moment business)

Heb. 13:5-6
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"