Sunday, October 21, 2007

Under the Wings

I have been involved in a great Bible study for the past few weeks. I am loving it and learning so much about God, His desire to know and be present with me, and His Word. It is Beth Moore's "Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place." I highly recommend it. I will be re-doing this very study in my home beginning in January. I love it so much I really want to share it with all of my friends. Anyway - if you are interested...let me know.

In one of the lessons, Beth Moore shares a story that she read. I've really been thinking about it in light of all that is going on around me. I thought I'd share it with you.

"In pioneer days, wood-burning locomotives frequently sparked fires. Wheat ripens enough to burn 10 to 15 days before it is ripe enough to cut, and sometimes the fires swept wheat fields for 10 miles. A farmer saw billows of smoke in the distance and knew his house, barn, and surrounding buildings were in danger. He set backfires and burned his own wheat fields in a circle so that when the great fire met the place he had burned, it passed around and went on. With that backfire the farmer saved his buildings but lost his crop. As he walked the burned field grieving, he saw the charred body of a hen. He tipped the hen over with the toe of his boot, and out ran a dozen little chicks. Because the mother's burned body was over them, the chicks lived. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live." - Let Me Illustrate

Oh my goodness. That sweet little mama! I was thinking about how good of a mama she was to teach her little ones that when danger came to run under her wing and there she would keep them safe. If she had not taught them that, they would have all run around looking for some safety somewhere else only to perish. She was their only refuge and that she demonstrated (more than once, I'm sure).

The safety was only under her wing. They had to run into it and be saved. They had to know of the shelter she provided and trust that she would be that very shelter. I am broken-hearted to know that some mothers are not mamas. And they did not shelter their chicks. Those very babies have grown up and are running around trying to find a safe place, a warm place. I'm so glad that there is One! It just makes it so much harder for them to understand what shelter is and that there is safety outside of themselves. These chicks can be saved, but they must run under the Wing.

So all of you Mamas and Daddies: show your babies the shadow of your wing. Gather your chicks close and demonstrate safety and shelter. In this they will understand this likeness of God. "This is what God, our Refuge does." Let them see you run under the Shadow of the Almighty. Take refuge under His Wings. And if this blog finds you out from under His Wing, please...run under and get close.

"How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings." Ps. 36:7

2 comments:

Harris' said...

That was amazing, Amy! You have an amazing way of speaking of the Lord! I loved your blog about your boys all sleeping together. I can't believe you live in a house full of boys!!! The are blessed to have such a godly amazing mama in there life!

The Thoennes Gang said...

Thank you for sharing that with me, Amy. This is very touching and I think that a few of the mama's here needed to hear that just to lift them as it has me. Thanks for being there when you don't even realize it, or thank God for speaking to you and speak out. You are a wonderful mother and sister-in -law and friend.