The last duckling

I was out for a walk-run yesterday, and had just barely left my house when I saw a mother duck and 10 little ducklings crossing the road. As I saw traffic coming, I went to the middle of the road stopping traffic so the ducklings could cross safely. As they reached the other side, I watched them one by one jump up the curb which was twice their height. Seven ducklings jumped right up, making it seem effortless. The next two had to take a few jumps. 


        And then there was the last little duckling. 

From my perspective he did not seem smaller than the others. But he tried several times, and just could not jump the curb. He moved a few inches to a new location, again without success. He moved again and tried again with the same result, no success. He began to let out a distress chirp. Mama duckling stopped, cocked her head, but did not go back. She sounded back to the last duckling, and then just stood still, patiently waiting on the last duckling. He tried one more time, almost making it. At this point I wanted to go rescue him, but I didn’t, as it was apparent he was not giving up. He gave it one more try, and he made it! I was so proud of that little duckling! 

I began to wonder if that is what it  is like for God as He looks at us. Some of us, with seeming little effort grow and flourish spiritually. We jump curbs effortlessly. And then, there are those of us that struggle. Those for whom spiritual things do not come easy. But they don’t give up. Though sometimes their brothers and sisters in Christ want to give up on them, judge them, showing impatience for their seeming lack of growth. 

  Yesterday, I was so happy and proud of the last duckling who just wouldn’t give up.  I wonder if God isn’t prouder of the ‘weaker’ Christian. The one who loves Him, and wants to follow Him, but has internal struggles that the seemingly ‘stronger’ Christian doesn’t.  Would the seemingly ‘stronger’ Christian given the struggles his perceived ‘weaker’ brother has, have the tenacity to keep trying?  I don’t know.  But I hope we all have the tenacity of the last duckling.

I pray often to be able to see through God’s eyes, through His perspective. And He gave me a tiny glimpse of that yesterday, when I saw the ducklings.


Ephesians  4: 1-2
I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, showing all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love.

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