We all need a little help once in awhile — I’m finding God often uses people to make way for ducklings and us too!
“Mallard With Young” by Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Parents of eight ducklings need a bit of help finding a safe place to raise their brood. During a rest stop in Boston’s Public Garden, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard agree they just might have found the ideal spot. But when Mrs. Mallard and her darlings are stuck on a busy street in downtown Boston, their policeman friend Michael rushes in, stops traffic, and makes a way for them.
And so goes the story, Make Way For Ducklings, the children’s award-winning classic by Robert McCloskey, published by Viking Press in 1941 and now Puffin. (You can also enjoy a reading of the book with your kids on YouTube.)
Meanwhile, enjoy this modern version of the story that took place in Washington D. C. recently:
(See the full story at the Huffington Post by Arin Greenwood.)
Perhaps there have been times in your life when you needed someone like Policeman Michael to make a way for you. I have! Especially now that I’m older.
Sometimes I feel as though I’m invisible. I want to throw up my hands and say, “Look at me. I’m a person too. An older person, I know, but still a person. Make room for me, please.”
Well, there came the day when my own Policeman Michael showed up in the nick of time.
One evening at dusk my husband and I ventured out of a hotel where we were staying. We walked up to the corner of a busy highway and a cross street that led to a restaurant on the other side.
We were about to make a run for it (no traffic in either direction that we could see) when suddenly a small truck appeared. We back-stepped in surprise as it squealed to a stop. The driver leaned out the window and motioned us to cross. “Go right ahead.”
We stepped in front of the vehicle, waved a ‘thank you,’ and then started across.
“No problem,” he called after us. “We have to take care of our older folks!”
Yes, this is a real road sign!
There’s something about that phrase, older folks, that clangs in my ear. I’m not ready to listen to it. But maybe I should, since chronologically I am one.
So I surrendered, jumped off my high horse, and became willing to admit that people of any age can use a bit of support now and then. I decided to view the situation with grateful eyes.
That evening God had used the young man as our ‘Policeman Michael,’ making a way for two elder ducklings to cross the highway safely.
This reminded me that I’m finding God is always with me, so often surrounding and protecting me through caring people like the truck driver.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121: 7-8 the Bible).
How has God watched over you recently, sending good-hearted people to help, or protecting you in other ways?
We’d love for you to leave us a comment about that!
©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com, on Facebook or follow on Twitter: @karenoconnor
