I could see the rain splashing across the lake. The safest place to stay dry was under the patio cover. From that vantage point, I noticed the ducks sitting on the lake did not flinch when raindrops hit them. I pondered this relaxing scene for a while. I have come to enjoy searching for modern day parables, ordinary life stories that connect me to God’s teachings and purposes.
The ducks seemed connected to their Creator, so trusting that they were completely calm and at peace. So peaceful in fact that some didn’t wake up.
God protected them in the storm, not from it. This was in contrast to the fishermen in the boat, who panicked at the thought of the menacing wind and waves. The ducks, like Jesus, slept. Perfect peace from perfect trust.
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” -Mark 4:37-40 NKJV
The ducks didn’t care when the rain came down harder. They swam as though the skies were clear; there were no anxious ruffled feathers.
Reflecting on their serenity and the way they trusted their Creator to always do what He has always done, I found myself envious. Each time agonizing thoughts come into my head, I need to lay them down, to not allow them to get me flustered. Yet in my humanness I often try to control the situation myself first. Then I call on God when I get stuck. Sometimes I believe I know the best way, or I think, “This one is easy, I can handle it alone.” These attempts usually end in some kind of failure or regret. I knew as I watched the ducks swim calmly on the lake; I needed to renew my commitment to seek and trust the Lord.
