THE FOLLOWING IS A surprising confession about my lack of faith. One spring I became a surrogate to a pregnant female duck. Soon after, I had eleven baby ducks swimming in my pool. It didn’t take long before they recognized the sound of my back door unlocking.
It made me happy to watch them race across the pool like little motorboats, then jumping out and waddling over to my feet for food.
Several months later, I saw the mother and nine of her baby ducks across the street from my house. I tried to lure them back with a sack of corn, but instead, I just scared them farther away. I surprised myself thinking, What am I doing? as I went back to get the other two out of the pool before they were left behind. Who needs ducks in their pool?
Attempting to be the stragglers’ savior, I tried to dip them out with the pool skimmer, to no avail. Those silly ducks dove underwater every time I got close.
The next day, I put their food inside a large box, thinking I would trap them. They didn’t trust me and seemed happier to starve than to risk possible death from the good provider who turned into a dangerous foe.
“Don’t be afraid,” I said in my sweetest voice. “I’m trying to help you. I would never harm you.”
Only when I put their food next to the edge of the pool would they eat.
The next week, I found the mother and her ducklings in a nearby creek. I felt the urgency of getting my two ducks out of the pool, for fear they would never be reconciled to their family. These two ducks, one of which was the runt with a bad wing and the other, her loyal brother, would be lost without help.
I opened the gate and put their food on my driveway with a trail that would lead them away. They ignored the food and I could only shake my head. These idiots have no idea I’m trying to give them a chance of a better life.
I’ve never been a pet owner, and those who know me might be surprised to learn that my heart was broken because my ducks felt betrayed and no longer trusted me.
How could they possibly think I didn’t love them?
I pleaded with them, “Don’t run away from me. You can trust me. I haven’t changed.
“Remember, I’m the one who’s been taking good care of you.”
It took a great deal of patience on my part to win their favor again as I realized they do not like circumstances that are different. To them, if their food was not where it was supposed to be, something must be wrong.
For all I knew, they might have thought the church lady ate their mother and siblings.
How does one with a limited brain, limited knowledge, and limited experience, trust that which appears to be as dangerous as the dragons and giants found in people, places, things, and circumstances?
What does one do when the Great Provider she thought she knew, suddenly changes his mode of operation and introduces a different way to walk with him; a way outside the normal and into apparent harm?
Shall she trust in her own best thinking, power, and ability?
Or shall she accept the hand that is extended to her? The One that reaches down from above that says: Follow me. I know the way. I am the way.
How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that.—Jesus (Luke 13:34 CEB)
Hebrews 13:8, Genesis 22:14,Matthew 6:26,Philippians 4:19, Deuteronomy 29:5, Matthew 11:28
As always, it is my intent and hope that my words may encourage you wherever you are in your journey.
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If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.–Jesus (Mark 4:23)
