Even the Smallest of His Creatures

Our neighbor asked, if I would be willing to take one of their baby ducks. It had been trampled by the other adult ducks and one of their chickens was protectively keeping him from getting any food. I was ecstatic because Indian Runner Ducks are my favorite breed of ducks. When I inspected the depths of this little ducklings injury, I was not very hopeful. Indian Runner Ducks hold their bodies upright like little penguins. Without the use of one leg there would be no possible way for this little duck to be able to survive. After little contemplation, we decided that it was worth at try. I went on line and found out how to make shoes to spread its webbed feet and splint it’s legs. The one leg and foot looked hopeful, while the other dangled like a piece of limp spaghetti. There was without a doubt severe nerve damage. My next focus was to give it a boost in nutrition. I added sugar, vitamins, and electrolytes to its water. I gave it free choice game bird feed. I found that if I picked around in the feed with my fingers it gave the duckling the sensation of the mother eating with her. My greatest concern was when I would return to check on her, her one leg would be laid out directly behind her. I was adamant to keep a vigilant eye and keep re-situating the leg into it’s proper position. About a week went by and I felt it was time to remove the splints for inspection. The one leg looked perfect while the other leg had made some progress but not enough for it to even stand. My greatest fear was that now that I had bonded, we would have to humanly put her down. I cried out to God, knowing that if it was His will, He could even heal the smallest of His creatures. The next day, I awakened to check on my little feathered friend. My heart was low as I was beginning to except her unimaginable fate. When I looked in the box, she was trying to stand on her leg. Prayers of praise and tears of joy from this two legged mama duck. There was hope for her survivability. A miracle for one of God’s creatures. As the days went by her leg strengthened, we began to take short little walks. Her little leg went to one side and her webbed foot pointed inward, but she waddled with the utmost of determination. Every morning when I open our chicken coops, Inga runs along side of me to do our chores. We stop to take a break under the oak tree and she gets a bite to eat. On our way back to the house, I help her into the water trough and relish in the joy of watching those little webbed feet swim. Inga is a constant reminder that God is faithful to even the smallest of His creatures.

Do Not Worry
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Matthew 6:26-27 (KJV)