It’s a Bird’s Life
Our young Mr. Rooster is getting his mojo on, chasing his hens and flapping his wings as if to garner his courage and shout to the hills, “I am the king of this flock.” I distinctly recall his younger days when the early morning crows reminded me of a boy’s changing voice, crackling off key. Today, he greets the morning in a clear vibrato alerting our farm morning has come. He cocks his red comb and waddle from left to right trying to decide if this is the day he’ll attempt to let us know he gives the orders around here. The rest of his young flock are quick to fall into the routine, looking for my scratch like manna falling from the sky as I walk the perimeter scattering their cracked corn. Bit by bit, I have expanded their yard so they are by definition enjoying a range-free life, though my hostas and scattered mulch are the price I pay for their well-rounded diet.
A few nights ago, Mr. Rooster and two of his favorite hens pushed the limits and hid out while I gathered the brood into their roost and buttoned down the hatches. This particular night I aided and abetted by failing to count them. I became aware of the manipulation after the renegades were heard foraging through the forest below our Master bedroom early the next morning. They were scratching outside the fenced area, and I could not believe they survived the night. And after their escape, my husband Greg spied Mr. Rooster with a 6” baby snake in his beak, dropping and playing with it prior to gulping it down with one swallow. I am hoping his greed for yummy things and the freedom to roam will not shorten his life.
As he comes into his own, I know this bird will usurp his will over his human authority. I see it in his eyes and in his bolder approach each day. What he doesn’t know is this human will remain in charge for his own good and the good of his flock. His bird brain doesn’t comprehend the coons and possums waiting for the chance to crack his neck. I wait with my trusty tennis racket to give him a healthy respect for the limits we set. I fear in this process my legs being cut with his sharp spurs, though he is doing what comes naturally. After all God has made this creature protective and possessing good instincts. I get it. Trusting the one above doesn’t come easy because we want what we want, but in the end, God also sees and knows what lies up ahead before we can see our way forward. Wait. Watch. Yield to God each morning for your day, knowing He can be trusted with the great unknown.