The Whisper of God

Your source for daily spiritual inspiration!

Under Watchful Eyes

There’s a family of ducks that just came to live in a pond that I can see from my house. It’s actually a mother duck and her fourteen babies.

I love watching them.

At first, right after they were born, they all followed her around. They stayed close and moved in a perfect line going wherever she went. If she moved to the right, they all moved to the right. If she sped up, they all sped up.  If she hid in the brush, they all hid in the brush.  All this was because they knew that they needed to stay close to her to be safe.

After just a couple of days, the baby ducks started to grow. As they grew they became more and more adventurous. They wouldn’t stay in line any longer. They all started spreading out and exploring on their own a little.  Every day that went by they ventured out a little further.

While they did this, the mother duck stayed close to them. In fact, many times, the mother now followed the little ones around rather than them following her.  She always kept close to them as they ventured further and further away.

Every once in a while something would scare the baby ducks.  Maybe it was a frog croaking or jumping or just the breeze moving some leaves near them on the shore.  When they did get scared, they would rush back to their mother where they again felt safe. But, they never had to run too far because the mother was always close by.

I laughed to myself as I watched because this happened over and over again.  The little ducks were very brave for a few minutes at a time.

But then it hit me: aren’t we just like those baby ducks?

What I mean is, we stray – we go out on our own and try to find our own way – quite possibly getting scared along the way. The difference between those baby ducks and us is that someday they leave their mother likely never to see her again.  The ducklings will move on and have no one to run to when they are scared.  But for us, even if we don’t have a parent around, we will always have God, our heavenly Father, to turn to.

Sometimes we move away from God and there might be times we even separate ourselves from Him.  But like a good father, He stays close to us while letting us venture out on our own, trying to find our own way. But He always stays near to us in case we get scared or get ourselves in trouble and need to come running back to Him.  He waits for us as patiently as that mother duck waited for her ducklings when they needed her.

The Bible tells us about Joshua.  Joshua had just lost his friend and counselor Moses.  Moses had always been with Joshua and I can only imagine that Joshua had come to lean on Moses in times when he might had been uncertain or fearful.  And, now that Moses was gone, it was left to Joshua to lead about two million people into a new and strange land.  God, possibly sensing Joshua’s apprehension, told Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

God told Joshua He was with him.  However, God is not just with Joshua.  God is with all of us all of the time, wherever we go.

When we are unsure or get scared, we can rely on His word when He tells us that He will be there with us.

Knowing that God is such a good and caring Father should make us want to stay close to Him all of the time and to not stray too far from Him even though He will be there when we come running back to Him.

Comments

  1. i enjoy what you share from your site, The Whisper of God. it seems be something i need to hear and is helpful to me.
    thank you so very much.

  2. Thank you
    Brings tears to my eyes knowing our God is so loving and we can ALWAYS run to him when we need comfort!

  3. Thank you for always being so filled with the Spirit. We do all need to know that God is always with each and everyone of us. Praise Him for being so loving and faithful. God bless you for your ministry to FB fans.

  5. So True! What a blessing just to know that God is always with us. I thank God for my parents everyday, but to have the assurance to know that he will never leave us is just Incredible!!!

  7. I love that you do this daily lets us all know what we should be doing every day. Witch is get on are knees and pray. God knows we all need a little faith. I like your under watchful eyes but Ido beleive animals have a god that they pray to too.

  8. Just wanted to let you know how very much I enjoy your inspirational statements which you make daily..!!! May God continue to Bless you so you are able to continue with your calling by bringing many closer to Our Heavenly Father!!! Look forward to reading more of your enlightened messages!!!

  12. I have to say thank you this is very good and i am with Nancy that is what keeps me going when i am having a bad day! Is that God is always there for me…

  13. I can visually picture this because years ago I became mother to a flock of baby ducks that had lost their mother. As orphans they were at first afraid but through my feeding of them they drew closer and each day they grew more trusting. Looking for new adventures yet running back to be close where they knew it was safe..So much like us in our walk with the Father,we always return to the safety of his covering ,when in fear ,finding comfort in His presence,peace in Him

  16. Thank you for sharing this , I was told once by someone that they had never met anyone that loved Jesus as much as I do , and I have to thank God for that , many years after I left home , I wandered away as a child I was brought up in church ,but when I left ,I felt like I had lost something that was most important to me , my spirit , I some how along my way could not feel this any more , around 2005 , I turned my life back over to the Lord and know now what i was missing all through them wandering years , I can look back and see the times that God caught me and saved my life , and know that he kept me in his bosom all them years I wandered in he desert , most important , He has taught me how to love again he never left me , but I had lost site of Him , yet I kept Gods word in my heart and life , I had stopped doing the most important thing Praying , now I am dependant on that daily touch from my Father God , no matter what happens in my life the criticism , the mocking the blows I take from people , I can turn to God and know he is my shield , he is the glory and the lifter of my head

  17. I love all your posts and stories… they are such a blessing keep them coming.
    God bless you

  18. What a beautiful story! I will certainly be reading more of what you write as I enjoyed this so much!

  21. Beautiful story. The whisper of God always lifts my spirit, very greatful.
    kvakk, kvakk…….

  22. What an awesome story!! Thank you for sharing this and all the inspiring ones you post on fb everyday….I always look forward to reading this each day. I hope and pray that anyone who wants to find their way back to our heavenly Father will not think twice when he/she reads this story and realizes our loving God will embrace and welcome him/her back at any time.
    Our God is truly an awesome God!!!

    Praise the Lord for your ministry!!!!

    Many thanks once again & have a wonderful day too!!:)))

  23. I look forward to read what you post everyday , We need all we can get to help use stay strong in the walk we have with the lord , And your words have been a blessing to me and my family , Please keep up the great work .

  25. I was so lifted by that story. I was and have been feeling down the past couple of day. Knowing that the Lord is always there is a great comfort to me, but like those ducklings I tend to wander from him and sometimes forget that the Lord is always there for us. Thank you so much for sharing that story and the insight of it on the spiritual and biblical side. God Bless, looking forward to reading your future posts.

  26. That is a most beautiful story-creating very comforting, supportive, and secure feelings. And it is just that right now, just a story because it has not gotten yet from my head to my heart. Thank you for your daily postings, etc. They are very appropriate to my needs.

    Bless you

  27. Thank you for a very clear picture of the Love of God that is always there not if but when we need it. I once saw a father and his toddler son walking thru the parking lot. He was holding his son’s hand to get him thru the parking lot safely. As a mother duck watchs over her babies, and a father holds his sons hand so does our God watch over us and holds our hand.

  28. Thank you for your daily posts. As a mother, I can relate to the duck story…many feelings rose up as I read it. Gives you a perspective of how God feels when His children do not pay attention to Him, and it’s only because He knows what’s best for us. He hurts when we hurt. Bless you.

  29. Thank you for your words they are wonderful, God has belssed you with a wonderful gift thank you for sharing it with me, on facebook I look forward to reading what you say everyday before work and after.Am a widow for 8 aqnd 1/2 years now, God took my husband when I was on 51, I never thought I would make it this long, but with Gods help, I have. He is such a loving and forgiving God. Am so glad he is with me and lets me wrorship him, no matter the trials, I go through he has been right there to see me through, time after time.I don’t know how I will ever repay him for the love and forgiviness he has given me over the years but am going to try. Thanks again for all you do in God’s our father’s name. What a blessing you are!

  30. I ENJOY GETTING UP TO YOUR POSTS EVERY MORNING WITH A HOT CUP OF STARBUCKS . I LOVE ALL OF YOUR DAILY POSTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

    JUDY

  31. Just read this post to my 8 year old grandson, Joshua. He really got it! Thanks for your insightful posts each day!

  33. It is wonderful knowing that the Lord is there and will protect us. He is also there to lead us if we are willing to let him. Praise the Lord! He is a just and mighty God!

  35. If God is always with us then why does he let the innocents suffer and the wrongdoers get away? Many a times, i have trusted my life into the hands of God and taken steps forward believing that he’s with me. And almost all the time, i had to take backsteps in order to prevent myself from getting hurt further.

  37. I enjoyed reading the article.
    Its very beautiful and touching .
    Thanks for sharing.

  39. Elmer, that was just beautiful and brought me to tears too! I will often go to the park to just sit and watch the ducks. Your correct! No one could disagree, this mother duck protects her ducklings like our mothes protected us!! My mom is gone now for 20 years, but I always talk to her, and through my beliefs I know she hears me. When I see a cardinal, I think and lots of times say, mom’s here! I can’t think of mom without knowing she’s happy with God. She’s back home and as much as I miss her, I know I’ll see her again. Thank you so much for all you give to us Elmer! God really loves you to instruct us as your doing! He’s here with us, but when we stray, He has you for us, and for this alone, I know I’m blessed! Thank you Elmer!!

  40. Very up lifting and inspiring,we do wander away at times,we get too confident and seem to forget who is in charge as we make foolish mistakes,he is always there for us no matter what Thank you LORD

  41. I LOVE THIS STORY , IT IS SO TRUE ,NO MATTER HAS FAR WE MIGHT STRAY AWAY FROM GOD ,HE IS ALWAYS THERE ,WAITING FOR US TO RETURN WE ALL ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE HIM AND YET SO SAD FOR U S TO STRAY ,I AM JUST SO GLAD AND HAPPY TO KNOW I HAVE HIM NO MATTER WHAT COMES MY WAY ,I KNOW HE IS ALWAYS THERE ,THANK YOU FOR THIS STORY AND ALL YOUR POSTS .YOU ARE SUCH A BLESSING TO ALL OF US FOR WHAT YOU DO . THANK YOU

  42. I just read this entry, and I JUST STARTED CRYING . . . My load feels SO heavy, my Troubles SO Easily fixable, but I feel Abandoned! NOT BY GOD though, but by My own Duckling . . . I have a Grown “duckling”, whom has the Capability available to her, to “Play-it-Forward”. . . yet, I cant seem to get her to Understand, That I REALLY NEED Her Help! I am IMMOBILIZED, “stuck”. . . the steps that I need to take to reach the “Goals” that I need to achieve: my “Health, Job, & going back to School”, just CANNOT happen without some “help” from her & her fiance’. (He has the ability to put me in a VEHICLE) I am Not being “Materialistic”, the Sad Fact is: Without a car, I cannot get to the places I need to get to, in order to Take care of Myself. . . MY VERY HEALTH is in Question here too! Sorry for myself? NO, I am Angry that I have been reduced to this feeling of “Why?” I realize, my Dear Sweet Father God IS ALWAYS THERE, & I know He has His “Plan” for each & everyone of us. . . but honestly, RIGHT NOW, I need a dose of “HUMAN HELP” too. . . HEAVY SIGH< HEAVY HEART, (I am so CLOSE to accomplishing what needs to be done, yet SO far) and as stated: My Very HEALTH is @ stake here!!!

  44. hi yes i like all the stores they touch me in different ways thanks for sharing

  45. I have been blessed by your readings and Watchful is no different.I am so glad God is always there and I found my way back. Thank you

  46. Dear Elmer, I just finished reading this and thought about the geese that are right now being raised on the pond where I live. It is a beautiful story. My husband and I watch as they grow. They are now taking “flying lessons”. Just as God does with us, he is letting them become independent a little at a time. I wonder if they know that when Momma is gone, God will be there for them. I very touching story, but I did not cry. I rejoiced at the power of the Lord to be there for us….reminds me of Footprints in the Sand.
    Thank you.

  47. To Antra:

    Maybe God is making you take those back steps for a purpose. Not all the bad guys get away. In the Bible, God showed his wrath to men with instant death. Read the book of Solomon. Now there is a story! Do not lose your faith….he is letting you take baby steps…and steps back to rethink where you are going. All of us must suffer in order to truly know joy. God bless you.

  48. Amen! Thank you Father God for you merciful ways and for being a Father to each and every single one of us! Help me Lord to never stray far away from you ever again!!! <3

  49. Love it like usual, I love your down to earth talks, it gets me through many days. Some make me smile and some take my breath away, realizing I have missed the boat a few times. Very grateful that God can use you in this way. To God be the glory!!

  50. I am truly affraid right now My eldest nephew was deployed to Afganistan on Aug.1st 2010 along with so many other brave solders and I stopped praying along time ago , but for some reason I thought or felt something telling me to pray so many months ago I started praying every night and then 2 months or so ago Is when I found out my nephew was being deployed along with so many other solders to fight this war.I have kept praying but now I pray when I get up and I pray thru-out the day and I pray before I go off to sleep at night for all who needs a prayer and for all the solders that have to be scared out of the minds to go over to an aweful place.But I had also wandered away from my God and then just out of the blue one day I kept hearing something say pray Carol so I prayed and kept praying only to find out my nephew was going to war so now I pray more then just once a day I pray when ever it cross’s my mind to throw out a little prayer for all the brave solders and the rest of my family.God Bless our Solders and God Bless my Family