A Sacrifice
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)
ME: Jesus, this summer has been a washout! From June until present and we just haven’t caught a break.
JESUS: Are you complaining?
ME: Not really, but it seems like we have been through so much. And now I had to give up something very dear to my heart.
JESUS: Tell Me about it.
ME: Well, my chickens are all gone now. I miss them—Scrappy’s constant crowing and the blueberry moments. The foxes got three hens within a few days. I could not stand the thought of their demise. There was nothing we could do to keep them safe. I feel like I gave up something special to me in order to save them, by giving them away.
JESUS: You did exactly that. Out of love, you gave them a fox-free life.
ME: You know I did not want to do that. It broke my heart into itsy-bitsy pieces.
JESUS: Yes, I know! I was right there with you as that young couple took them.
ME: I know we did the right thing. I just pray they’ll be taken care of and loved.
JESUS: Let’s look at this from another perspective. My child, you gave up chickens. You know that I was cruelly sacrificed so that you have eternal life. It wasn’t what I wanted to do but it is what My Father asked of Me.
ME: I’m so sorry I said anything because my sacrifice of chicken enjoyment pales in comparison to what you did for us at Calvary.
JESUS: This is very true. However, your thoughts and emotions are real. What you did for those four hens and three roosters was an act of love. Consider the joy of that young couple who received them free of charge. (Slight giggle.) You chose well because their new home has Bantam hens for Scrappy.
ME: I know. (My hearty laugh.) I simply miss them. It was fun watching them chase bugs and climb up into my lap for their watermelon and blueberries. They always came running to meet me when I pulled into the driveway.
JESUS: Dear child, you have given up something very special.
ME: I can’t compare re-homing chickens to what You did.
JESUS: True, but in the process, you learned an important life lesson. Difficult challenges and decisions always include some kind of testing. You passed.
Photo: Mo Johnston