Stunning essay, Laura, on so many levels— imagery, metaphor, theology…. I really can’t believe that I have not ever noticed/been aware of the mother hen reference in the Bible— how can this be? I gave up “worry and wondering” for Lent— interestingly, the quote from your essay that I wrote in my journal was the section on “warmth and wonder”. I am hoping that now when I catch myself “worrying and wondering”, I can redirect my thinking to the “warmth and wonder that Love Incarnate waits to reveal”. Side note: my husband pointed out some beautiful robin egg shells he found in our yard this week— my first response was to assume that the babies didn’t make it, but he reminded me that broken shells can also be from birds that hatched and are living happily in the nest. Ah, nature… so many lessons to teach us!
Thank you, Laura, over and over, for your pondering and pre-dawn meditations and heartfelt and loving reflections. Chickens, indeed, especially Mother Hen (s) - a very favorite photo (of mine) is a black and white action picture of my dad, in the hen house doorway, holding a full grown chicken to his heart. It is early spring, southern Maine, he is newly retired , with his retirement flock sheltered behind him. Your essay this morning is such a poignant reminder of what love is, and where it comes from. My love to you and your chicks. My three have grown and fled the nest, but never far from my heart. Jeanne Cronin
I, too, talk to the mama birds and grieve the broken eggs. And the monarch caterpillars, rooting them on through the chrysalis stage. The more I observe and learn of animals (and plants, for that matter) the more they feel like family. How I lost sight of this as an adolsescent/young adult I have no idea! Also, that second footnote 😭
Beautiful writing as always. A perfect springtime read and treat. I never knew all that about brood patches, what fantastic food for thought. I also never really gave attention to the image of God as mother bird, so thank you for reminding me that no matter how often I’ve “heard” a piece of scripture, I haven’t always listened to what’s there for me.
Stunning essay, Laura, on so many levels— imagery, metaphor, theology…. I really can’t believe that I have not ever noticed/been aware of the mother hen reference in the Bible— how can this be? I gave up “worry and wondering” for Lent— interestingly, the quote from your essay that I wrote in my journal was the section on “warmth and wonder”. I am hoping that now when I catch myself “worrying and wondering”, I can redirect my thinking to the “warmth and wonder that Love Incarnate waits to reveal”. Side note: my husband pointed out some beautiful robin egg shells he found in our yard this week— my first response was to assume that the babies didn’t make it, but he reminded me that broken shells can also be from birds that hatched and are living happily in the nest. Ah, nature… so many lessons to teach us!
“But we are still surrounded and cared for by our Creator, never alone even when we are wont to wander.”
So much goodness in this essay. But, this quote stayed with me and my worried ‘mother hen’ heart.
Thank you, Laura, over and over, for your pondering and pre-dawn meditations and heartfelt and loving reflections. Chickens, indeed, especially Mother Hen (s) - a very favorite photo (of mine) is a black and white action picture of my dad, in the hen house doorway, holding a full grown chicken to his heart. It is early spring, southern Maine, he is newly retired , with his retirement flock sheltered behind him. Your essay this morning is such a poignant reminder of what love is, and where it comes from. My love to you and your chicks. My three have grown and fled the nest, but never far from my heart. Jeanne Cronin
Amen! Have you read the gorgeous children’s book Petook by Houselander? It’s the main reason I’ve reflected on the mother hen image regularly.
I, too, talk to the mama birds and grieve the broken eggs. And the monarch caterpillars, rooting them on through the chrysalis stage. The more I observe and learn of animals (and plants, for that matter) the more they feel like family. How I lost sight of this as an adolsescent/young adult I have no idea! Also, that second footnote 😭
Beautiful writing as always. A perfect springtime read and treat. I never knew all that about brood patches, what fantastic food for thought. I also never really gave attention to the image of God as mother bird, so thank you for reminding me that no matter how often I’ve “heard” a piece of scripture, I haven’t always listened to what’s there for me.