A few times each Month I look forward to having lunch with a friend at a Park that overlooks a Lake, we enjoy looking at the Ducks and other Birds that seek for food along the waters edge, there is a sign that tells us not to feed the Birds but it seems they can’t read and often let us know they would like to share our lunch.
Last week we sat watching a family of Ducks as we ate, there was Dad, Mum and seven baby Ducks who were not very old, when I stood up and walked towards them to get a closer look, well Dad perceived danger and within a flash Mum and the Babies were hustled into the water as Dad stood his ground.
Wow! this reminded me of how God’s Protects us from danger (Psalm 91:4) and than I also remembered an amazing Story that I had received by e-mail a few years ago about Ducks, so I thought I would share it with you today.
This amazing True Story is about a Mother Duck and her babies and a very caring man named Joel who came to their rescue. Thankfully one of the Secretaries at his Office had a digital camera and was able to capture most of it.
Joel’s Office overlooks busy Riverside Avenue in downtown Spokane, W.A.
Several weeks ago he watched a Mother Duck choose the cement awning outside his window as the uncanny place to build a nest above the sidewalk.
The Mallard laid ten eggs in a nest in the corner of the planter that is perched over 10 feet in the air. She dutifully kept the eggs warm for weeks and Monday afternoon all of her ten ducklings hatched.
Joel worried all night how the Mamma Duck was going to get those babies safely off their perch in a busy, downtown, urban environment to take to water, which typically happens in the first 48 hours of a duckling hatching.
Tuesday morning, Joel came to work and he and the rest of the office workers watched the Mother Duck encourage her babies to the edge of the perch with the intent to show them how to jump off!
The mother flew down below and started quacking to her babies above. In his disbelief Joel watched as the first fuzzy newborn toddled to the edge and astonishingly leapt into thin air, crashing onto the cement below.
My brother couldn’t watch how this might play out. He dashed out of his Office and ran down the stairs to the sidewalk where the first obedient duckling was stuporing near its Mother, from the near fatal fall.
Joel looked up. The second duckling was getting ready to jump! He quickly dodged under the awning while the Mother duck quacked at him and the babies above.
As the second one took the plunge, Joel jumped forward and caught it with his bare hands before it hit the cement. Safe and sound, he set it by the mamma and the other stunned sibling, still recovering from its painful leap.
One by one the babies continued to jump to join their anxious family below. Each time Joel hid under the awning just to reach out in the nick of time as the duckling made its free fall. The downtown sidewalk came to a standstill.
Time after time, Joel was able to catch the remaining 8 and set them by their approving Mother.
At this point Joel realized the Duck family had only made part of its dangerous journey. They had 2 full blocks to walk across traffic, crosswalks, curbs, and pedestrians to get to the closest open water, the Spokane River.
The on looking office Secretaries then joined in, and hurriedly brought an empty copy paper box to collect the babies. They carefully corralled them, with the Mother’s approval and loaded them up into the white cardboard container.
Joel held the box low enough for the Mom to see her brood. He then slowly navigated through the Downtown streets toward the Spokane Rive, as the Mother waddled behind and kept her babies in sight.
As they reached the river, the Mother took over and passed him, jumping into the river and quacking loudly. At the water’s edge, the Sterling Bank office Staff then tipped the box and helped shepherd the babies toward the water and to their Mother after their adventurous trip. All ten darling ducklings safely made it into the water and paddled up snugly to Mamma Duck.
Joel said the Mom swam in circles, looking back toward the beaming Bank workers and proudly quacking as if to say,
‘See, we did it! Thanks for all the help!’…
There is a wonderful message in this Story as we remember that the Mother Duck had a choice to make… Let her babies’ die of starvation and dehydration or risk a hard landing and safety. Then there was her willingness to trust this strange looking Man and let him guide her and her babies to a place of protection and comfort.
This is the same for us, God Loves us and hates to see us in pain, yes it may mean a rough landing until we Trust Him but He is always there to break our fall, ease our pain and to comfort and strengthen us and yes at times He has to carry us to shield us from harm.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Jeremiah 29 :11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of Peace and not of evil, to give you a Future and a Hope.
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men.
We have to call out to Him seeking His help, because if we go it alone, we will limp for the rest of our lives instead of knowing the Victory we can have in Him.
So like the Mother Duck and her babies we let the Lord guide us to the Living Water so our soul is encouraged and refreshed.
And we remember to Thank the Lord from our heart!
Thanks for sharing your time with me as you read this amazing Story.
“Christ”ian Love Always – Anne.
.
Very inspiring. Thanks Anne.
LikeLike
I appreciate your encouragement Victor, I still have more of your Posts to respond to that I have saved. so hopefully I will be able to visit you in the near future.
Thanks and Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That will be great Anne. I always appreciate your feedbacks.
LikeLike
And I yours also Victor, I only wish we could fellowship in Person as we Praise and Worship The Lord but I do feel Blessed you are my Brother in Christ Jesus and in knowing also that your very much a Soldier of The Cross as confirmed below…
Christian Men- https://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/christian-men-are-soldiers-of-the-cross/
Blessings your Christian Sister Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, fellowship in person? That would be nice Anne. But Australia is so far away from Nigeria! Thanks for the thought all the same.
I checked the link out. It was really soul-lifting. We are all soldiers of Christ. Thanks for the post.
LikeLike
As a woman my role is different from yours Victor but yes we are all one in Christ Jesus and Spiritual Soldiers.
May God continue to Bless you greatly Victor as you serve Him in Love and Faithfulness.
“Christ”ian Love Always – Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen. Thanks for your love and support.
LikeLike
Loved the duck story, it just goes to show that we Christians are not as”quakers” as others say we are 🙂
LikeLike
Love it! Graham…. so if your not ”quakers” and I’m not ”quakers” that means their ”quakers” Hummmm I guess I better duck when I say that!
Annie’s in trouble again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it when I see stories like that. I have sat and watched ducks, pelicans, birds, all feeding their babies and looking after them. Not back fully had a few rough days, today as well. God has been protecting us all with his hand on our shoulders under the wings of love…BJ
LikeLike
Hi Bj good to see you blogging again even if only moderately, I hope things are going smoother for you now. I have had a few rough spots too, I dropped a heavy container on my toe and can’t walk most of the time now without pain , I may have chipped a bone, I’m going to the Doctors tomorrow.
Yes God protects our souls and we never have to fear that we walk alone, He gives us the strength to endure any affliction and comforts us too.
I will be in touch soon, God’s richest Blessings -Anne.
LikeLike
Good wishes for the doctors. It was a silly thing to do drop a box on your toe. Oh! it has been a ride this end.
LikeLike
Correction Bj I didn’t drop the plastic container deliberately, that would be silly, it fell out of my new freezer but it is in a safe place now, although my toe is still very sore and will be until it heals.
Hope things settle down for you too.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLike
Hahahah! yes they are, I am very tired but not in pain no longer. I am enjoying the little things, like walking with no can, no more medication. I am enjoying being able to walk and breathe.
LikeLike
How wonderful Bj … Praise God from whom all Blessings flow.
See you soon “Christ”ian Love – Anne
LikeLike
Awe Adorable Duck Story!! Amen Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua Anne!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom,
Kristi Ann
LikeLike
Yes Kristi Ann I also love stories with a meaning, thanks for visiting and sharing and may you continue to be greatly blessed in your work for the Lord.
Christian Love – Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on janjoy52 and commented:
We have to call out to Him seeking His help, because if we go it alone, we will limp for the rest of our lives instead of knowing the Victory we can have in Him
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jan for the Reblog, I’m pleased you were blessed by this amazing Story and yes as we know God tells us when we search for Him with all our heart we will find Him, how very blessed we are that we did.
It’s very Late in Aussie Land Jan so I will visit you tomorrow, I have saved your Posts and hope to catch up soon and with some other Bloggers whom I missed too when I encountered some problems that needed to be resolved.
“Christ”ian Love Always – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dream in the Spirit and wake renewed in God’s plans and purposes for your life!
Much love!
Jan 😙
LikeLike
Thank you Jan, I will hold onto your Loving wishes for me, I had a very busy day today and will no doubt sleep well tonight but hope to Blog again tomorrow after Funday School, it’s similar to Sunday School but for Children who come from dysfunctional Non- Christian Families, so they don’t know about Jesus or that He Loves them but you can be sure this is their first lesson.
If I don’t visit you Jan before I go to bed, I will visit tomorrow Aussie time.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jesus LOVES the little children!!! There’s no better calling than to lead the children to Jesus!♡♡♡
LikeLike
Yes very True Jan, I’m blessed all the time by Children and have been most of my Adult life, they have given me great Happiness and wonderful memories and I Thank God for the Blessing they are and that I have been able to share with them the most wonderful Truth in the world which is as you said……He Loves them!.
God’s Love and Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a great story and even greater lesson! Reblogging!
LikeLike
Thanks again Jan, see you tomorrow.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely story of the duck and her ducklings and of the action of someone who cared. I guess it shows that we do have to care but at times to act also! God cared for us enough to send His Son to die for us .
Blessings
Ron.
LikeLike
So very True Ron, we do for others as we want them to respond to us and yes we Love God and put Him and what He wants first always and not just when it suits our own agenda to do so.
Take Care , see you soon – Anne.
LikeLike
A long time ago, I heard a definition for mercy: “Feeling sorry for someone and doing something about it.” What a beautiful picture of mercy and a wonderful analogy for God’s loving care toward us. Luke 6:36 – Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
LikeLike
Yes a great definition Debbie, God’s Love when in our Hearts motivates us to reach out in Love even to those who hate and hurt us. Jesus died for us even knowing we would sin and hurt Him, His Father and others too, how can we than hold back our forgiveness and Mercy.
As God continues to Bless us we Bless others with His Love, giving them Hope for a wonderful Eternity with Him instead of a Hopeless end without Him.
“Christ”ian Love Always – Anne.
LikeLike
We are to reflect the Father. 1 John 4:19 – “We love because he first loved us.” Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Luke 6:36 – “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Thank you Annie for shining for God!
LikeLike
When we are Perfected in Love Debbie and Born Again, we are conformed in the image of Jesus and so we walk as He did on earth, which was in Love and Holiness.
1John 4:16-19 And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us. God is Love and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him. Herein is our Love made Perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this World. There is no fear in Love; but Perfect Love casteth out fear because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made Perfect in Love. We Love Him, because He first Loved us.
My Dad’s last words on earth Debbie were to me and he said; Keep shining for Jesus, I didn’t understand than what he meant but I do today, of course I’m not perfected yet but I’m aiming for it.
Take Care, I will visit you sometime today or tonight – Anne.
LikeLike
It sounds like your Dad was a good role model for our Father in heaven. What wise words to share! When I am near the end of my earthly life and ready for my homecoming, I hope to be like Jacob (and your dad): worshipping God and blessing others! Hebrews 11:21, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.”
P.S. As believers, we are all aiming! The important part is to be headed in the right direction with our eyes on Jesus. Thanks for sharing such a precious memory!
LikeLike
My Dad became a Christian Debbie just a few months before he died of Bowl Cancer, until then his life showed the damages of Secular thinking and of course than the wrong actions that follow what we focus on but he repented and believed in Jesus as his last words on earth to me showed.
Yes we are to keep our focus on The Lord and listen for His voice guiding us into all Truth, it’s not an audible voice but an assurance in our spirit that touches our heart.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLike
Annie, What wonderful assurance you have that you will see your Dad again. Yes, many blessings were missed by not being a Christian for very long, but your Dad has all of eternity now to enjoy God’s blessings! (Sorry to hear that your Dad died from cancer.)
LikeLike
Yes it is wonderful Debbie to know I will be reunited with my Dad and with other family and friends too who have passed on, yes we miss them but they are in our hearts to stay, so their not very far away.
Be over to visit you soon – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story!
LikeLike
Thanks for your response Caleb, I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLike
Yes, nature can teach us a lot of things about caring!
LikeLike
Yes very True Caleb and it can also teach us about our Origins if we seek with God’s wisdom and understanding not worldly Man’s.
Blessings – Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Besides ducklings are so awesome!
LikeLike
Of course they are Caleb because God is Awesome with a Capital “A” and He created them like He did us but yes they are sooooooo cute too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely!
Again, busy here…can’t wait to have time to resume blogging; so many topics I want to cover especially with the US Presidential primaries coming to a close.
Hope all is well!
LikeLike
Thanks for asking Caleb, unfortunately I have had another accident, it’s now 3 in a row, this time my Mobility Scooter wheel hit a display stand of food items that was too far into the passage way, my wheel twisted and the Scooter went into a fridge, I was covered with the packets of food items and as the Stand fell it hit my arm which was bruised, swollen and very painful but it does feel better especially today.
Have you ever considered Caleb Posting about the ups and downs of becoming a Doctor, it would be interesting I’m sure, it must have taken determination to succeed and a firm commitment.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Anne,
So sorry to hear about your accident I hope and pray you have a fast recovery and that you heal properly.
No, I haven’t thought about that but it is an interesting idea. Science can have many ups and downs and it would make a very interesting read. Thank you for the suggestions!
Cheers,
Caleb
LikeLike
I will look forward to your message Caleb, I’m sure it would be very interesting too and also enlightening.
Thanks again for your concern and yes I’m recovering but I’m still in pain, it hurts to type at times but I thank God for medication that helps when needed.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May you have a speedy recovery and blessed Holy Week and a Joyful Easter!
LikeLike
Many Blessings for Easter Caleb and much inner Joy in your remembrance of our freedom in Christ Jesus, who gave it all because of His great Love for us.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
AMEN!
LikeLike
Love this blog post!!!
LikeLike
Thanks April for your response, you too have Posted some thought provoking messages recently, which I have saved, I will be over to see you tomorrow or Sunday Aussie time, it’s late and I’m off to bed soon..
Blessings – Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the encouraging word. I think this is what blogging is all about. You read other posts and the message inspires you while you write posts that inspires others. It is about encouraging others through words. A blog is like family. You keep up with writers who inspire you the most and help promote their works.
LikeLike
Yes I agree with you April, we are family and we seek to uplift and encourage each other or correct error if needed in Love and for Love. We also know Blogging has another very important purpose for us as Christians, you could say it’s like the City Gates, see link below. I will visit you sometime today April and yes you are a blessing.
Blogging- https://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/blogging-for-jesus/
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I re-blogged the link you shared. I loved it! It was worth sharing!
LikeLike
Thank you again April for the Reblog you are a Special Sister in Christ and your heart is very Loving.
I’m sorry also April that I have not been to visit you recently as I had planned to do but I had an accident and needed to keep my foot elevated as I could not walk, it’s still sore but better. I will take some time soon to respond to your Posts, I didn’t want to rush doing so in the short time that I did Blog but was waiting to feel better.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLike
You never have to apologize for not visiting my site. It is there when you need an encouraging word. Thank you for the compliment. You are an amazing woman of God. And, I am glad you met on this blog. You have inspired me to be a better writer.
I am so sorry to hear about your foot injury. I pray for a quick recovery and God heals any pain you have.
LikeLike
You are a Blessing April and yes I find comfort and assurance in your sharing, Thank you for your Faithfulness and willing heart.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anne I really loved this story! I have been in the middle of a really rough patch lately with my health and then also some things going on in our family that is very hard. I found this post comforting along with the scripture from Isaiah. Thank you for this!
LikeLike
Thank you T for sharing and yes I know you have been on a very rocky road recently and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, I too have been in a Storm and I pray the Rainbow is not far away and this I pray for you too and yes it’s wonderful to know that when we can’t walk any longer, God carries us and protects us under His wings of Love.
“Christ”ian Love Always dear T, see you Saturday or Sunday, Aussie Time – Anne.
LikeLike