In my story “Hens in a Hovel,” I suggested that hens are living in a difficult, even hostile environment. While a hovel suggests squalor, the low conditions (poor quality commercial food and non-existent health care) is not one I can easily change myself. In “Wet Hens” I explored the idea that Job demonstrated more confidence in the power of evil to destroy him than in the power of God to deliver him.

I think people generally understand that we suffer for our own foolishness? Except a foolish person will wield a hammer sloppily, strike his thumb, and curse “Jesus Christ!” (You’re the dummy with the hammer in your hand. I am sorry. You- hit- your- own- hand- with- a- hammer.)

It’s possible this world has become a hothouse environment which is why such delusional thinking exists. If you live in a safe-secure environment where everything is ‘fixed,’ where no challenges arise, and your participation in any useful enterprise is optional, people become weak, lazy, and ungrateful.

Camille Paglia suggests our civilization and its corruption is rooted in an obsession with self (for lack of better things to do). Wealth and privilege breeds ingratitude and narcissism. Uselessness.

I am guilty of spoiling my hens. When I received a warning in my heart to avoid spreading too much hay, I ignored it. Guilty! My hens spend too much time in the too warm hutch (too little light, fresh and activity). Rat cleverly positioned himself to enjoy the hay, while remaining in his underground existence. I am suffering because my workload just increased (trying to undo the damage).

However, I learned when I suffer to:

1. Avoid the anxious vigil like Job confessing Fear.
2. Face the problem by owning my failure and learn. Accountability.
3. Realize that the problem is the way (Marcus Aurelius). Avoiding life’s tests, we will continue in repeating cycles of defeat.

I am thankful for the lesson from the “Hothouse” I created. Hardy, useful hens have more fun. They are sturdy, reliable, and competent to face life’s challenges! Weak, wimpy ones fail (and their human counterparts) curse God for their own failures as though life is a conspiracy against them with Jesus Christ at the top. He is at the top. But our foolishness is entirely our own!

As a responsible hen owner, it is my duty to remove the hothouse conditions that are enabling the demise of the creatures I love. There will be discomfort, change, shock, and Awe! But it is ultimately for their own good.