Issue 1670 – Chuckling Ducks – February 12, 2025
If you know me or have been reading Gleanings for any length of time, you will know that I have a soft spot for critters of all kinds. I never tire of watching them.
Farm critters, wild beasts, birds, and even fish can hold my attention for a long time. Rare sightings, such as a mother and baby hippo in the wild in South Africa or a wolverine in the BC woods, have a special place. Still, I get excited seeing a squirrel, rabbit, or any number of common birds.
One of my favorite bird species is the humble mallard duck. I can’t begin to count the number of them I have seen in my life. I’ve seen flocks that number in the hundreds, singles, and any combination in between.
These dabbling ducks are possibly the most recognized species and are native to much of the Americas, Eurasia, and parts of North Africa. They have been introduced to many other parts of the world. I tried to find an estimate as to how many there are in the world, with no success, but it’s safe to say their numbers are almost beyond counting.
Mallards are social birds and have a contented call when chatting amongst themselves. That call can best be described as a chuckle. If you’re unsure what that chuckle sounds like, a quick online search will give you plenty to listen to.
The mallard chuckle is a happy and contented sound. They have another call, which makes them sound like they are laughing. Those calls always make me smile.
The humble, common mallard always seems to be a happy bird.
It makes me think of how Christians ought to sound. Only believers have any true hope in this life or reasons for true, lasting joy. No matter what is happening around us, we always have a reason for joy.
Even in times of trial and testing, we have a greater reason for joy.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Now, it would be naive to suggest that Christians should always go around chuckling like mallards. There are seasons of sadness and mourning.
Still, the apparent lack of joy in many believers is sad.
We would do well to heed Paul’s admonition to the Philippian believers.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness[a] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-8
As a believer, you have reason for joy for whatever is going on in your life. It transcends our circumstances and supersedes simple happiness.
Look to the Lord, my friends, and rejoice.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
__________________________________________
Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.
Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1
For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.
© 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.