A Prized Rooster

There was a man that had two sons – I know you are thinking you have heard this story but I promise you haven’t.  They were twins and on their 16th birthday he bought them a car.  The man also had a prize rooster.  Every year this rooster too home blue ribbons in all categories – loudest cock-a-doodle-doo, best plume and proudest strut. 

One day the boys were out joy riding in their new car. They lost track of time and when they realized they would be late for dinner, they sped home.  When they came along side the house faster than normal, unfortunately they hit the prized rooster.  The boys were devastated.  Tried as they did through the night, there was no saving this rooster.  The boys asked their father’s forgiveness, and all the father asked in return was for the boys to bury the rooster under the big oak tree in the back yard.  They did, but that didn’t seem like punishment enough.  

The next day the boys decided to dig up the prized rooster thinking they might be able to bring the rooster back to life.  As you can imagine, this was a bad idea, as there was nothing they could do.  So again they buried the rooster.

Two days later, feeling unforgiven, they thought maybe we could stuff the prized rooster as a gift for their father, so again they dug up what was left of the rooster.  By this time, feathers were falling off and it no longer looked like a prized rooster at all. Again they buried the rooster.

A few days later, the boys headed out to that oak tree to once again dig up the prized rooster.  This time they were greeted by their father who took the shovels away and told the boys there was nothing they could do for that rooster.  They explained to their father they needed to do something in order to be forgiven.  To which the father replied, forgiveness can’t be earned, it can only be received and accepted.

We all have prized roosters buried in our past. Quit digging them up and receive and accept the forgiveness that is yours.

On the journey

Ramonalynn Bethley

Ramonalynn Bethley is the Lead Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Alexandria. You can contact her directly at DrRevRL@fumca.org