God created us to be in community. This is true for all of God’s creatures. There is a reason they are described by group names. A herd of cattle, a pack of wolves, a band of coyotes, an army of ants, a flock of birds, or a school of fish. These collective nouns suggest that there is safety in numbers and life is better together.
This Spring a lone duck appeared at the pond behind my house. She seemed to stay near one spot never venturing far to forage for food. For 2 weeks I watched her and wondered if she was guarding a nest. I decided to offer her some food and discovered she was very friendly.
My interest was piqued, so I researched ducks and discovered my little feathered friend was likely a domestic hybrid mallard. Even though he didn’t have the typical green head of a drake, my duck was not a female guarding a nest. I don’t know if he wandered off and got lost or if someone tired of their pet and dumped him out near the pond. Within a few days he was eating out of my hand, and I had named him Buddy. I had read that it wasn’t healthy to feed him the appealing dry cereal he seemed to like so much so off to Tractor Supply I went for duck food.
Buddy loved his visits with me, but he seemed lonely and in need of a friend. I was pondering where I could buy a duck but then a flock of geese arrived. Buddy joined in with the geese. He was different but he longed to be with his own kind. They seemed to accept him, but I noticed they would often peck at him. Buddy kept company with the geese for about a month. During this time, he would sometimes come when I called him but other times, he would act conflicted about who he should follow. Eventually the geese flew away leaving Buddy abandoned again. My heart was broken for him, and I was more determined than ever to find him a friend.
Local farm supply stores only sell baby ducks in the spring, so I called a friend who has a menagerie of farm animals and asked if he had any ducks, preferably a female. He said “Yes, I have black Muscovy ducks, and I would be happy to give you one.” I was not familiar with that breed of ducks and didn’t know what to expect but I said “That is fine. A duck is a duck. Buddy just needs to be with his own kind.”
She looked completely different to the image I had in my head. She was a little bigger than my Buddy. Her feet were yellow not orange, and her beak was black and white framed by some pink. She was mostly a charcoal gray but the feathers on her back looked greenish. I am embarrassed to admit that at first, I did not think she was very pretty but nevertheless, I was excited to bring home a friend for Buddy.
It wasn’t the love at first sight union I dreamed of but within a few hours they had warmed up to each other and are now inseparable. It took her a few days to trust me the way Buddy does, but it wasn’t long until Holly used her wings to reach me first.
My heart is so full watching them together and seeing the joy they get from my daily treats. They know my voice and they come when I call. I’m amazed at how fast they can waddle on those webbed feet. One day as they were racing toward me, I heard God speak to me. He said, “I want you to run to my voice.”
Several times a day I sit by the pond and enjoy watching my ducks feeding at my feet. I look at Holly and marvel at the uniqueness of her strange colored beak and the beauty of her emerald, green feathers that fade into a rich turquoise blue and I wonder how I ever thought she wasn’t pretty.
Turns out there are a lot of lessons that can be learned from a duck about adaptability, resilience, perseverance and a high value on relationships. My summer with the ducks was a reminder of other important things I already knew.
- The world offers many things we think we want that aren’t necessarily good for us.
- Trying to fit in can lead you down the wrong path.
- God sees all his children as beautiful, and we need to see everyone that way too.
- Quiet time surrounded by God’s creation helps to hear his voice.
Who do you know that is lost, lonely, beaten down or on the wrong path? Invite them to your table. Give them a place to be real and feel safe. By showing them God’s love, you have the opportunity to lead them to know God’s voice.
