The Mother Hen

Read: Psalm 91:1-6

Grandma looked up from making breakfast when Noah came into to the kitchen. “You look tired,” she said.

Noah yawned. “I was up a lot last night because of the storm.”

“It sure was noisy!” Grandma remarked as she began mixing pancake batter. “I was up some myself.”

“Did Grandpa go to the barn?” Noah asked. Grandma nodded, and Noah put on his rubber boots and went outside. He found Grandpa milking the cow.

“Good morning, Noah! You look like you could use some more sleep,” Grandpa said. “Did the storm keep you awake last night?”

“Yeah, but I’ll be fine. What can I do to help?”

“You can feed the goats,” Grandpa answered.

When the feeding and milking was done, they both went to gather the eggs. “Hey, Noah, do you see that chicken?” Grandpa asked.

Noah looked at the chicken Grandpa was pointing at and gasped. “What happened? That hen is missing a bunch of feathers, and she’s all scraped up and bruised!”

“Last night this hen’s chicks were bedded down in some tall grass outside,” Grandpa explained. “When the storm came, they were too afraid to move. Now just think, this hen could have gone into the coop and been warm and dry. However, she stayed outside in the bad weather with her wings covering her little ones to protect them. If she hadn’t done that, her chicks wouldn’t have survived!”

Noah listened wide-eyed. “Wow! She really cares for her chicks, doesn’t she?”

Grandpa nodded. “Did you know that God feels the same way about us? This chicken was willing to die to save her chicks, and God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to die for us so we could be saved from sin and have eternal life with Him. The Bible even describes God stretching His wings over us, the same way a mother hen protects her chicks.”

“That’s a lot of protection!” said Noah.

“It sure is! And I’m thankful for every bit of it,” said Grandpa.

“Me too!” Noah grinned. “Do you know what else I’m thankful for?”

“What’s that?” asked Grandpa.

“Grandma’s cooking. I hope we can have breakfast soon. I’m starving!”

Grandpa laughed. “Me too! Let’s go see if it’s ready.”

–Elena Ketner

How about you? Did you know that God protects His children like a mother hen covering her chicks? Those who trust in Jesus take refuge under His wings. If you belong to Jesus, nothing can ever separate you from Him—no matter what life storms come your way. Jesus was willing to die to save you, and He will never leave you. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today’s key verse: He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. Psalm 91:4 (NKJV)

Today’s key thought: God protects His children