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The Storms in Life

March 4, 2023 by homeonmagnoliahill Leave a Comment

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I’d like to tell you a little story about a storm, a sick chicken, and a caring cat. Along with the lessons we can learn on a stormy day under a carport…the storms in life.

tuxedo cat and red chicken snuggling during storm on concrete

The Storm

Yesterday evening we had a few pretty loud thunderstorms roll through our town.

In the meantime, I had to tend to our little red hen. Who, we believe, may have had a stroke last Tuesday. Every evening she is fed her dinner. Which has improved from homemade mealworm oatmeal to a bitty grower crumble that she can now sort of eat on her own, thankfully. Our little cat, Tux….short for Tuxedo cat, loves to participate, encourage, and of course clean up any leftovers.

The Chicken

Yesterday evening was a little less, actually a lot less, relaxing due to the weather. Our therapy area is under our open carport. Which can be no match for sideways wind-blown rain, and the thunder and lightning just added to the mood.

In hindsight, with these pictures for proof, I watched and eventually realized our little Tux had decided that it was not a safe place for him and his new-found BFF. By BFF I mean little Red, who is now blind and immobile due to her stroke. She doesn’t have the ability to run from Tux. So now Tux seems to believe little Red is friends with him by her choosing. But hey, it’s turned out to be nice for both of them.

The Cat

At first Tux started patting little Red on the head during a big roll of thunder, as if to tell her “Let’s get out of here! What are you waiting for?!”. Which I initially interpreted as him trying to play with her or something of the sort. Which “playing” with cats can sometimes turn into a scratch or a nibble….so I watched them closely.

Then, as I turned around to change out Red’s crate pad, Tux decided that this bad weather was just too much and attempted to drag Red off like a kitten by the “scruff of her neck”. Which chickens do not have…

My initial instinct was to swat Tux on the rear-end in discipline because, I assumed at the time, he was trying to have a crippled-chicken-dinner. He’s a hunter, and I love that about him because he keeps the rodents in check. So I thought he may have decided to upgrade from his occasional rodent snack.

After Tux had a small walk of shame and a good chance to shoot me a serious stare, another round of thunder and lightning came. Off Tux ran as fast as he could to his little red friend’s side. I immediately felt guilty for disciplining him for his instinctually loving gesture that I had assumed to be hurtful.

At that moment I realized that not only was this little friendship just about the cutest thing I have seen but this lesson that I learned from our stormy chicken physical therapy session compares to family life as well as spiritual life…

The Lesson

Just because, at first glance, a loved one or the One who loves us most may seem to push, or “pull by the scruff of the neck” in some instances, doesn’t mean the gesture, words, or actions are hurtful as they may appear.

Sometimes these seemingly harsh gestures are the ones that come from the most loving place, especially in moments of fear. If these gestures, that are sincerely from a place of love, are given the chance for a step back with a second glance, they can be seen for their true meaning….the strongest and purest forms of love and caring.

For Tux, little Red would have been a heavy load to carry. But he was giving it all he had to “save” her. For Red, it hurt to be pulled by her neck. But if she understood what Tux meant by this tug then I’m sure she would have been ever so grateful.

These loving gestures can be the hardest to give for the giver and the hardest to receive for the recipient. Yet, these are the very gestures that can encourage us and pull us to safety from the storms in life.

love sarah from home on magnolia hill

To read more about the gal behind Home on Magnolia Hill, click here.

Here are a few other Home on Magnolia Hill posts you may enjoy!

How To Build a Farmhouse Chicken Coop: A two weekend, or less, project
To Buy or To Build Your New Chicken Coop
How to Propagate Pothos Plants

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Filed Under: Chickens, Family, Farm, Lessons from The Hen House Tagged With: inspiration, lessons, lessons from the hen house, life lessons

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american nigerian dwarf dairy association member

I’m so glad you’re here!

Hi! I’m Sarah, the gal behind Home on Magnolia Hill, life long DIYer, and lover of all things farm and home. I am beyond blessed to be married to my high school sweetheart and mom to two wonderful boys. Read more about me here.

Follow along for fun DIY adventures, family life on a growing farm, and some home decor inspiration along the way!

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This guy if officially on full-time poultry protec This guy if officially on full-time poultry protection duty!! 

And just like that, at 2 years old, he’s all grown up 🥹

Now our laying flock can safely enjoy their large pasture with no fear of predators! 

Not only is Atlas protecting them from ground hunting predators, he is also skilled (and a master I might add) in aerial predator protection! He watches the sky just as much as he watches the fields ☺️

I could not be more pleased with how Atlas has matured into a fine Livestock Guardian Dog and a wonderful representation of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog breed.

This boy is something special for sure ❤️

A huge thank you to @wanyamaranch for producing this amazing animal and trusting us with him ❤️

Atlas’ puppy 📸: @wanyamaranch 

#livestockguardiandog #anatolianshepherd #anatolianshepherddog #freerangechickens #layinghens #pasturedpoultry
Truly enjoying my first Roselle Hibiscus harvest ☺️ Here’s to lots of teas, jellies, and who knows what else I can create with this beautiful plant ❤️

Do you have any favorite Roselle recipes? Feel free to share!

#growyourownfood #roselle #tea #homegrown #homemadejelly #sustainability #teatime
Gosh I love these little ladies…even if they’r Gosh I love these little ladies…even if they’re not always ladylike for their pictures 🤭

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New at Magnolia Hill Farm! Goat Milk Soap, made fr New at Magnolia Hill Farm! Goat Milk Soap, made from milk from our beautiful Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat herd!

I have finally decided to offer our 100%, All-Natural, Handmade Goat Milk Soaps in our online shop! 

Our first preorder, pictured here on the curing rack, is our super gentle, highly moisturizing Unscented Goat Milk Castile Bar. 

This beautiful bar is perfect for sensitive skin and makes an amazing facial bar as well!

If you’d like to preorder yours today, for a November 13th ship/pick up date, visit the link in our profile and head over to our online shop!

As with all of our items, we offer free pick up for local customers and low shipping costs (flat rate, no matter the quantity) for those that need their Home on Magnolia Hill items shipped.

We are so excited to offer these healthy, all-natural soaps to our customers! We love sharing creations from our farm to your home!

Make sure to keep an eye out for more Goat Milk Soap options, coming very soon!! And comment below your favorite Natural Soap Scents!! 

#goatmilksoap #goatmilk #allnaturalskincare #allnaturalproducts #allnatural #handmadesoap #handmadesoaps #smallfarm #dairygoats
It’s finally here!! Our Sourdough Starter Mento It’s finally here!!

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Happy Sourdoughing!!

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Okra flowers may be top of my list 😍 #summerga Okra flowers may be top of my list 😍

#summergarden #zone8b #okra #organicgarden #pollinators #bakercreekheirloomseeds
Thank you, Jesus, for this day. For this time. Fo Thank you, Jesus, for this day. For this time. 
For these moments. For this place. 
This beautiful space.

#smallfarm #jerseycow #dairycows #rawmilk #peaceofmind
Oh Charlie, how spoiled are you? ☺️❤️ #ba Oh Charlie, how spoiled are you? ☺️❤️

#babygoats #babygoatsofinstagram #nigeriandwarfgoats #smallfarm #dairygoats
These babies sure know how to love life 🥰 Some These babies sure know how to love life 🥰

Some of these cuties are still looking for their new homes! 

Pet home and/or show home babies ❤️ and they always come with mentorship and guidance, from me personally, if needed 🤗❤️

Perfect for 4H!!

#nigeriandwarf #babygoatsofinstagram #babygoats #dairygoats #adga #4h #nigeriandwarfgoats
Our first Sunset Goat Yoga class was a blast!! W Our first Sunset Goat Yoga class was a blast!! 

What a wonderful group of people we had the pleasure of spending time with! 
Thank you SO much to all who came out to our farm to enjoy the sunset, some yoga, and our goats with us!

A very special thank you to @lkabarnes for being an outstanding instructor for such a special class!! 

Our next class date can’t get here fast enough! 

If you would like to join us for our next Sunset Goat Yoga or any of our future classes, check the link in our profile!

#goatyoga #babygoats #babygoatsofinstagram #getoutside #outdooryoga #smallfarm #nigeriandwarfgoats #dairygoats
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