God Loves Ducks, and Me

Emma at dance practice

               On May 4, 2012, I had a deep theological conversation with my four year old granddaughter, Emma. Before we left the house, we had been reading a book about ducks and she was quite interested in the fact that ducks don’t get wet in the water. As I fastened her into her car seat we were talking about other things and I thought we had exhausted the duck subject.

               As we pulled out onto the main road into town, Emma asked, “Why do ducks don’t get wet, Grandma?” and this is how the conversation went from there:

Grandma – “That’s just the way they are made” I said, thinking she would recall what we’d just read.

Emma – “Ducks were made?” she said in amazement.

G – “You know who made ducks.”

E – “God. And He made me.”

G – “That’s right.” 

            E – “Why does God like ducks and me?”

G – “Because He made you and ducks and He likes everything He made.”

E – “Even the bad men?”

G – “He even likes the bad men because He made them, too. He is hoping one day they will turn back into the good men they were when He created them.”

E – “Oh.”

And then we were through and moved on to other topics. Isn’t it amazing how a child’s mind works? In a few brief moments we moved from a dry duck in the water to God and creation and on to the condition of the world. It all came to an abrupt stop with one simple word, “Oh.”

Just two days later the Sunday School lesson was about building a firm foundation for the future by using every present opportunity as a learning/teaching experience. Here’s how the Bible puts it in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV):

“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”

I am overwhelmed that God trusts me to spread His Word to the little ones around me. It amazes me that I am Plan A when it comes to telling people about Jesus, and there is no Plan B. I am charged with building on the sure foundation that others have faithfully left for today’s generation. God is giving me opportunities to do just that. God has faith in me and I have faith in Him. And that brings me great joy!

May God bless you and keep you

May His face shine upon you

And give you peace and joy-

Cathy