Learn from the one who understands what’s ahead. Like ducklings stay on course, learn the lessons.

So I am still not up to par…still spending my time horizontal, because vertical still produces a pounding, earth shattering headache. I however do feel better today than I did yesterday. The one plus of being not well is that it has been raining here in “sunny” Florida, for the past two days (rainy season is the best time to be sick, best sleep ever). By rain I mean we now have a waterfront view in both our back and front yard (for the backyard this is normal, at the front…not so much).  I decided that if I had to stay horizontal I would do so in view of the “real waterfront”. So packed up my pillow and blanket and made my way to the family room, and plopped myself on the comfiest couch ever (secondly only to my friend Cate’s couch…which I am sure she purchased in heaven, feels like sitting on a cloud). As I gazed out the sliding glass door I saw the coolest thing, a mother duck with her ducklings. Ducks are a constant in my neighborhood, I have had many a “slow-down” on my drive to work due to duck crossing (usually I am irritated at this). Today’s duck sighting I found strangely beautiful. The ducklings followed mamma duck  with complete trust. There was no lagging behind, no looking around…their eyes and their steps were firmly in line with her’s. This made me think about my relationship with God. Are my eyes and steps completely lined up in Him? Honestly, no. There are some days when I can spend the whole day in His will and I feel His closeness. But more often than not I struggle to stay connected. Unlike the ducklings, I wander, I stray, I get distracted by the world around me. Today six little ducklings taught me a lesson about life…at some point they will all go out on their own, but for now they will keep their eyes and steps in line with their mom, so she can prepare them for what’s to come. If I am to navigate this journey correctly I need to also line up my eyes and life with the one who charts my course.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – He could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God” (Hebrews 12:2, The Message Bible).

So what am I thankful for today? Six little ducklings and their mother.