Ducklings

God Leads His Dear Children

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments

A few nights ago, as my wife and I went for a walk by our pond we were surprised to see a small alligator. Now, since we live in Florida this was not unheard of, but there had not been any alligators in our pond for a few years. A few minutes later as we made the turn around the end of the pond, we came upon a mother duck who must have also spotted that alligator, hurriedly leading her eight little ducklings to another pond. She had wisely decided that though the alligator was small, our pond was no longer a safe place for her babies!

As we watched her leading her ducklings with their tiny feet hurrying to keep up, I was reminded of the precious hymn, “God Leads His Dear Children Along.” The lyrics tell us that just like that mother duck, our Good Shepherd is watching out for us and leading us to safe green pastures. Sometimes the way is through the flood, sometimes through the fire, but no matter where He leads, He makes the way through the blood of Jesus. Our Good Shepherd knows the path ahead and no matter how steep the way, we need to remind ourselves that He always knows what is best for us!

Every Step of the Way

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15‭-‬16 NIV

On my morning walks I have been greatly enjoying watching one little brood of ducklings growing up as they waddle along with all their might after their mom. Their eager footsteps remind me of one of choruses we used to sing. “This is the Day that the Lord Has Made”. That was a song we sang with enthusiasm and hand clapping, focusing on the following line, “we will rejoice and be glad.” part of the verse. But even though we sang the words, usually we went out and lived the rest of the day, oblivious as to whom it truly belonged. We easily forgot that the day was not ours. When we just, “seize the day” as one popular saying urges us to, we will find ourselves on a pathway alone. That is because every day, not just the one we call, “The Lord’s Day” belongs to Him. Until He has redeemed it, we will miss His purpose. Until we put our time into His hands, we will miss the wisdom of my little web-footed friends, of following Jesus every step of the way!

This is the Day

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 KJV

We’ve sung it, embroidered it on wall hangings and said it so often that sometimes it loses its freshness. I was so delighted that with all the problems swirling around in our world that God took a moment to remind me and refresh my heart.

Here in Florida we are known by the tourists for two kinds of wildlife: flamingos (which we have yet to see after 3 1/2 years) and alligators – which are rare in these parts. So I was delighted to unexpectedly spot a good sized gator pop his head up for a moment while I passed by our community pond on Monday. Hoping for better light and a closer photo opportunity (but not too close!) I set off on my Sunday morning walk. As I neared the pond I was taken in by the breathtaking clarity of the morning light and the perfect colorful reflections on the water. Yet all the while I was hoping for a peek at a fearsome predator, God had something different and delightful in mind.

It wasn’t the spectacle I expected but it was what God had prepared for me today. Then He reminded me that this is His day and I just might miss what He has in store if I insist on hunting for alligators!