That’s Just What I Needed, Thank you!

I was trying to figure out what woke me from a deep sleep this morning at 4:15. And then I heard the loud cry of our rooster crowing on the front patio, which happens to be located next to my bedroom window.

Yesterday afternoon our rooster (Blackie) flew the coop, literally. He must’ve had enough of the hens out there and decided to relocate, hence the reason he’s now been perched out front of our house for the past day.

After about a dozen crows this morning before 5 A.M. I finally turned to my husband, “that’s it, I’m gonna go outside and talk to him!!”…surely my husband questioned my awkward statement but nevertheless I stepped out front (barefoot and nearly frozen immediately). I stooped down to eye level with the rooster and calmly stroked his back and spoke softly to him. He nestled down closer to the table he was sitting on and relaxed as if to say, “that’s just what I needed, thank you!”

I tiredly went back inside and crawled into bed and got a few more hours of sleep—beautiful, quiet uninterrupted sleep. It wasn’t until after 7, the sun was beginning to light the sky, the rooster let out a few more crows. This time his noise was gladly welcomed, with the 7 o’clock hour seeming a bit more fitting.

Not only have Blackie’s crow-times been off lately, he’d also flown into our living room window several times yesterday. And today as we’ve had wind gusts of 35 miles per hour he still insist on sitting out front in the blistering openness of frigid cold.

Although he has a warm home, plenty of food, and many lady friends to keep him company something out in the chicken coop just isn’t quite right for him.

I think of the many times I can relate to the odd mannerism of my rooster’s—the times that I’ve been confused, unsettled, and distressed much like this new adopted behavior of his.

God faithfully provides for me, however there are times I still feel like I’d rather take the unhealthy beaten emotional path of: uneasy, weary, worry, and fear. I’ve realized those are the times I’m focused on self—disregarding and bypassing God’s comfort of truth that He offers if only I’d just turn in His direction.

Thankfully those negative moments for me are short-lived these days as I’ve learned that type of mentality leads to brokenness. I’ve studied scripture enough over the past few years to know that when I begin to invite in those harmful self-depleting thoughts, I need to quickly reject those lies, recognizing the road of destruction they lead to. I see my desperate need for Jesus especially in those times and EVERY TIME He closes in on me with hope from His word. He meets me right in the midst of my trials—and offers comfort and truth. He’s never far away from my mess, always ready to provide time and time again, if I just allow Him to do so. He’ll quickly and joyfully swoop me up and longs to hear me say, “that’s just what I needed, thank You!”

Sometimes Jesus’ comfort comes in the reminder of a memorized verse at just the right time, a scripture-reading that trumps whatever the concern might be, the kind words of a sweet friend, the message of a powerful sermon or devotion, or the quietness of a heartfelt prayer…and yet even in the “crowing-loudness” of what should be quiet hours—Jesus can speak, all praise to Him.

Truth be told, this morning before I went out to chat with our rooster I had every intention of going out there to lay the smack down on him!! I had no intention of comforting him, but every interest of confronting him instead! I was not thrilled about my 4:15 in the morning wake-up call and I was going to make sure he knew it!!…But isn’t it just like our God to speak to unsteady hearts—when we’re carrying an ugly attitude, when we’re broken-hearted, lonely or lost—to grab our attention, stop us in our tracks and redirect our emotional deranged footsteps. He reminds us that we are loved unconditionally and through that we’re able to share His tender-heart attitude…even if it’s with an obnoxious crowing rooster in the early morning hours of the day…

And every time WE choose to give ourselves over to Jesus’ ways (His truth, His path) surely His thoughts of us echo: “That’s just what I needed, thank you!”

2018 has been a good year for our family, there’ve been some trials here and there as we’ve lost loved ones in our church family, but there again we must look forward with God’s leading. 2019 will no doubt have its ups and downs but the real promise lies with the hope of Jesus’ words in John 16:33b, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

When the bottom drops out—when you’re frustrated, upset, or angry where do you turn for help?

Do you allow Jesus to be your comfort?

If you’ve never trusted Him as Truth and Comfort over every part of your life may you allow 2019 to be the year of His sweet leading over your life? You won’t regret it, He promises.

Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner. View all posts by alimw2013