Be a Duck

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Movement caught my eye. A pair of mallard ducks waddled from the lake onto my lawn. They traveled through one flower bed and then into another one. 

            They stopped in the grass. Their heads swiveled one way and then the next in unison. Tail feathers wiggled while the rest of their small bodies remained still. Stubby, orange legs, almost hidden in the grass, propelled them. 

            I often observed them form tiny waves on the mirrored lake as they gracefully glided from shore to shore. But rarely did they visit my yard. Never had I seen them so close to my house. 

            I tiptoed to the screen for a better look. The nondescript female led the brightly colored male as they left. A few minutes later, they reappeared from the opposite side of my home. 

            They didn’t search for tasty morsels in the grass but waddled back and forth. Then they returned to the lake. 

            In the water, they swim artistically and easily because they were created for water. However, on land they move awkwardly on their short legs and webbed feet. 

            No matter how they might try, they will never walk elegantly like an egret or soar like an eagle. They won’t sing like a meadowlark or catch fish like a heron. God designed them to excel on water. 

            Likewise, we need to embrace the gifts and talents given to us by God. Follow His path for us. 

            Don’t try to soar like an eagle if you are a duck. 

God made you as you are in order to use you as he planned.

S.C. McAuley

Creator, thank you for making us unique with a special plan. Help us accept our gifts and talents so we don’t strive to be like someone else. Guide us each day in the way we should go.

Amen