A Grieving Duck

The following was a devotion I read the other day. I felt led to post this:

A Grieving Duck

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." - Matthew 10:29

A mallard duck was trying to get to his mangled partner. He seemed to wonder why his partner stayed on the road. When cars came, he darted to the shoulder and then started cautiously back toward his mate. When there was a lull in the traffic, he finally reached his partner and lay down next to her. The scene was too precious to disturb. I passed slowly on the other shoulder. In the mirror I saw him stand and then lie down again. The scene passed from view. As I looked up from the mirror, a semi roared past, speeding toward the duck. I wondered if.....

I found myself praying. In my heart I felt like I had seen grief. If you know someone who is grieving, pray for him or her. Some are wondering why this had happened. Some know they must move forward and they want to, but they can't seem to do it. Life has stopped, but it lies in the path of the rest of the world still rushing forward. Change has to be accepted, decisions have to be made, and life has to be restructured. Yet it seems like time, responsibilities, and normal life rush upon them like semis, leaving no more time to heal. Some wonder if they will...

Jesus said that the Father is with each bird as it dies, then He said, "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:31). In the valley of the shadow of death our Shepherd does not leave us. God is always the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4). Just as we hurt when we see a tragic scene, God hurts when He sees us weeping and struggling. If you are grieving, may God grant you the mercy and the grace to face each day.

Steven R. Kooistra - Lagrange, IN

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying." - Revelation 21:4