We were sitting outside Starbucks when we saw them–right there in the busy parking lot of a shopping center: A mama duck and her 12 teeny ducklings. Oh! So precious. I crept near to take a picture so I could show my daughter, who adores any baby fowl.
I sat back down, but a moment later that feathered mama had me on my feet again.
She proceeded to begin crossing the highway. This is an extremely busy intersection with SIX lanes of traffic, mind you. But boldly she stepped down off the sidewalk into the first lane, her brood of unquestioning babes trailing along behind her. Oh no! I almost couldn’t watch. They were so incredibly tiny and helpless, their little downy heads (no helmets!) and soft cheep cheep chirping (no voices!). And somehow the fact that they don’t have arms seemed to make them all the more vulnerable (as if, at 4-inches tall, they could hold up an arm and effectively stop traffic).
But there they went, without voices or arms (or helmets!) and weighing a few ounces at most, they bravely followed that mama onto the asphalt, 1-ton trucks barreling by, oblivious drivers speeding through yellow lights, everyone in a hurry.
But this mama duck wasn’t in a hurry. She was the picture of confidence as she navigated around one stopped car (that had, thankfully, seen them coming) and paused, perhaps to consider her route. The little chicks paused, huddled in close to mama, waiting patiently for her next move.
Across she went.
Just when I thought I couldn’t stand it anymore, and was about to do the crazy-lady thing and go run out onto the highway and try to stop traffic, a man mercifully stopped his car to block several lanes, clicked his flashers, hopped out, and began flagging down cars to clear the way.
A crowd had gathered by now, watching this fearless mama lead her chicks safely home.
See, on the other side of that dangerous intersection, down the grassy knoll, is the river. The beautiful, serene, glorious river. Where ducks belong. I don’t know exactly how she ended up in the parking lot, but I do know that she knew where she had to go and was brave enough to take her littles there.
And she made it. I’m not even an animal-lover, but I have to admit a little water in my eyes as I finally saw the whole family safely on the other side.
Probably because I recognize that journey. I’m on it. You probably are too.
This world is nuts. Absolutely nuts. Between pesticides, pedophiles, and ISIS we have enough to make us stark raving mad with fear.
This world is not our home.
There is a home, and we lead our children through many dangers, toils, and snares, to follow Christ through this life, without fear, and trust Him to lead us safely home. We train them to follow us, we teach them to be brave, we warn them of the dangers but we still must go on. And the man Jesus Christ gives His life to stand in traffic, protect us from evil, and lead us safely through to the other side.
Let’s not fear. Let’s be brave mamas (and dadas and grandparents!) and lead our littles through the danger with faith.
A glorious home awaits us on the other side.
Happy Friday! Have a blessed weekend, and thanks for reading.}