It was late in the afternoon and the hot sun was low. While transitioning the poultry from the barn out to their open run, one rogue chicken slipped away from the group. I followed the chicken closely as it ran around the corner. Every time I would lean in to pick her up she would skip, flap, and hustle away quickly. She didn’t want to be caught. A brisk pace quickly made one pass around the run become two, then three. I chose to fall back and watch her from a distance until she would calm down and come back to me. She wanted in the pen with the others; they instinctively stay together for safety. However, she was distracted by green things and bugs to peck at. I allowed her to frolic around the yard for a little while and when she was ready I opened the gate for her and she went home.

I believe God meets us where we are. He is not outside of our experience. He is not unwilling to speak through the ordinary. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20.

As I observed the loose chicken I understood that she was simply doing what a chicken does. I thought about humanity. How often do we cluck along, doing what we do, while the Good Shepherd follows and watches for our safe keeping? Though we are giving our attention to ordinary things, He is close by keeping the gate for us.

I followed the stray bird and gave her my full attention because the rest of the flock was safe within the walls that were built for their security. This spoke to me of the parable from Luke 15:3-7 of the one lost sheep. My favorite gospel song from my childhood says “You may be deep in the valley of sin, wandering lost and alone. Well the Good Shepherd is looking for you and he wants to bring you back into the fold. ‘Cuz one lost sheep is worth the world to him. He’ll leave the flock behind just to lead one home again.” -Mid South Boys.

Today I am thankful that when I was the lost sheep there was a Good Shepherd searching for me, ready to bring me home again. My wandering did not change my identity or my place. You can always come home.