The Ducklings

Madison loved walking down to the pond with her mom and watching the ducks. She especially enjoyed watching the mama duck with her ducklings. She loved how they always seemed to swim in a row right behind their mama--cute little brown and yellow fuzzballs.Madison wished that just once she could catch one of the ducklings and hold it, but the mama duck wouldn't let her get close. "Why won't the mama duck let me hold one of her ducklings?" Madison asked her mom."Madison, you know you shouldn't try to touch wild animals," Mom told her. "The mama duck knows that too. She doesn't want anything to happen to one of her babies. She's protecting them, just like Dad and I watch out for you." Mom squeezed Madison's shoulder. "Did you know that the Bible tells us we're protected under God's wings? That's a beautiful illustration that helps us understand how much God loves us."Madison sat with her mom and watched the ducks for a while longer. On the walk back, she jumped in line behind her mom and waddled like a little duck. She and Mom giggled the rest of the way home."What are you two giggling about?" Dad asked when they walked in the door."We're being little ducks--waddle, waddle!" Madison replied. "Dad, did you know that there's a Bible verse that talks about God protecting us under His wings? Now every time I see the mama duck protecting her ducklings, I'll think of God's protection for me."Dad smiled. "I love how God gives us such great illustrations in the Bible. His Word is full of verses that show us how much He loves us and how He is always watching over us."Madison nodded. "Sometimes I can hardly believe how much God loves me. He even loves me when I mess up.""That's right," said Dad. "Jesus died for us so our sins could be forgiven, and He is always with us, no matter what." That night, after Madison went to bed, she prayed and thanked the Lord for loving her so much and for always being with her. She also thanked Him for creating such cute little baby ducks. Then she fell asleep with a smile on her face. -Lisa Fuller