17th September 2024

We had a duck and a Banti hen nesting right next to each other one year, and there was just a wire fence that ran between them. It was a rainy spring with a large puddle nearby, so keeping the eggs dry was a challenge for them. It must have been the first year for the duck as she began nesting right with the first egg laid. Day after day one egg would begin to hatch, but failed in the process. The poor Banti was not successful at all. The duck left her nest unguarded and the Banti took the duck’s last egg. She hatched that egg and treated that duckling as her own. I remember how she sheltered it under her wings, covering it with her feathers. 

God imprinted ducks with that love of water and the Banti’s duckling was no different. She would have a terrible time trying to keep her little one safe and away from the water. There that duckling would be just having a wonderful time in that puddle, but its surrogate mom would be in a panic running around that puddle squawking until it came out to have itself sheltered once again under her wings. Here Psalm 91 speaks of God covering us with his feathers and wings; a picture of God’s protection and nurturing. It is like one big hug. There is nothing like a hug. It brings comfort to both recipients, like a healing warm blanket on a cold day. I miss those hugs from a dear friend who moved away.

Our neighbour changed to a new irrigation system on a pivot line. It saves water but leaves the corners of the field dry, and so he filled those corners of the field with a grain that would grow there with little water. There is not a big market for this grain, and so he just cuts it and reseeds it each year. We had mentioned to him how the deer and the quail took refuge in the grain corner next to our home. It gives us pleasure and it protects and nurtures the animals. And so, he now leaves the grain up by our home longer so they can take refuge in it; he covers them with his feathers so to speak. Not only does God shelter us, but we as well can be a shelter and comfort for others.

This year I have chosen to focus on the word ‘new.’ and all the new things I saw God doing in our lives. And so, I have woven this into my studies. But what about the wonderful things that are not new? God has always been our refuge and protector. Just because things seem new to me, they are not new to God. He has always covered us with his feathers, his protection. He has always loved us and sacrificed himself for us. We, like the Banti’s ducklings, get ourselves into some dangers, but God is always there watching over us; ready to take us under his wings.

May God gather you all under his wings, giving you a great big comforting hug, filling you with his warmth, his protection.

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