Little Red Hen

Do you recall the story of the Little Red Hen?  It was actually one of my favorites when I was little.  I think it went right along with one of my dad's frequent sayings, "If you don't, then who will?" I don't even think he realizes how often he said that to us as kids or what influence that it had on me.  Down to the scrap of paper lying on the ground- "And if you don't pick it up, who will?" I can hear him saying that now.  Or even the tough situation that needed confronted "and if you don't stand up for what is right, then who do you expect to do that?" Most often I think my dad referred to this saying when he was telling us about why he had to be at his work on the family dairy farm- "and who do you think are going to milk the cows because they aren't going to milk themselves."

This 'go-get-'em' work ethic is repeated throughout The Little Red Hen and it goes like this: "If no one is going to step up and get the job done, well I will complete the job with or without the side help."  Hmm? not the theme you recall?  Maybe you remember the story running the theme of "you don't work, you don't get paid" or "be willing to help others" or "Hard workers are rewarded and the lazy man gets his due?"  I think the Hen had a stronger head on her shoulders than you may have given her credit. She was a visionary and saw a job needed done and she did it- with or without the help of those around her. 

In the story, the Little Red Hen sees what needs done and goes full steam ahead.  She sees the wheat and sees potential for a harvest.  She has a vision for the end result- bread! She knows the steps to take (plant the wheat, harvest, mill, mix, bake) and pushes forward.  Stopping to check in with her barnyard friends every step of the way to see if they want to join in yet, another chance perhaps to catch sight of her vision, but nope- they just take the easy seat of watching her work or ignoring her altogether.

Finally, when the fresh bread is baked and the Hen is pleased with her hard work, her friends arrive want to participate in her feast.  Not Hen, she laid it on thick to tell the barnyard animals that they weren't around to plant, harvest, mill, mix and bake, so why would they taste the bread?  And she enjoyed the bread herself.

Where am I going with this?? Well, have you ever felt like a Little Red Hen?  A job needed done and you felt like you were the one to get it done? But then you turn to your friends to join in and they don't.  Maybe you turn to them for affirmation and it's not there, yet you still feel that this is the job for you? Perhaps you see the potential of a situation but others don't and not one bit? You ask others to catch on to this good thing that you are excited about, and they don't jump on board. "But who will _________?" You offer others to participate at least come by your side, but they still deny? "Not I, not I, not I."  "Fine then, this job was intended for me anyway so I'll be the one getting it done," Hen would say. And she'd continue to muffle under her breath, "Thought you may have wanted to get in on the blessing at the end of this journey, but apparently not."

Maybe there is a tugging at your heart that you feel you should give a response.  Maybe there is a need that hits your heart so heavy that you want to do something about it.  Maybe you see potential in someone that no one else sees.  Maybe it's a tough road ahead, but one that need traveled in order to see the feast at the end of the trail.  Be the Hen! Be bold and go to it! 

Let's take another perspective.  Have you ever felt like the barnyard animals? "Oh there goes that Hen again with other one of her brilliant ideas! Hurry up and be busy so we don't get pushed into helping."  "Not I, I'm busy" or "Not I, I'm comfortable" just runs out of your mouth with little to no thought.

What if that were God asking us to do something for Him?  What if He showed you a seed that needed planted and in the end would be a great harvest and bread of life as a reward?  Would you be like Hen and despite the rejections of others and lack of support? Would you continue to pursue through each step that the Lord had intended for you? 

Or would you be the barnyard animals and answer quickly with a "not I, I'm too comfortable" or "not I, I'm busy" that you wouldn't even realize what slipped out of your mouth until you saw the look on His face when you denied Him?

The Lord does have plans for you and He hopes that you listen to that tug on your heart to get His work done.  He has hopes that you will look to HIM and Him ALONE for affirmation and direction in your life, not to those peers around you who may not see what it is that the Lord intended just for you!  Carry on and seek Him for your guidance and strength.  HE will see you through!  

Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

  Pray to the Lord and seek Him.  Ask Him for wisdom and guidance as you carry on with the plans He has for YOU.  Be diligent in your work and in the task that He has set before you.  I know there are amazing things that God has planned for the lives of his people, but too many times, we don't act like the Little Red Hen, but we are the barnyard friends. He doesn't want our excuses, He wants our hearts, love, and our service to bring Glory to His name!

2 Chronicles 15:7 "But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

Not sure what God wants you to do in your life?  Feel like there is a lack of direction?  Ask Him, and read His word.  He will reveal His plans to open and willing hearts!