Lessons in Wild Life #1

August 9

Three ducks have been swimming up to our dock recently. Two are larger than the third.  Our grandson thinks it is a mother, father and their child.  I'm not sure that it isn't simply the old concept of three don't play well together...two gang up on the third.  Either way, it's heart wrenching to watch as one of larger ducks bully the third when "Cheezits" are tossed in the water.  If the smaller one attempts to eat one of the treats the larger duck pecks it in the neck.  We even tried distracting the two  larger and getting the smaller one off to the side, but you can see the fear in it's eyes.  Makes me so mad.

We watch a similar scene unfold at a location where we go feed sheep and goats. There is one fellow I call the BULLY goat. He is so mean and greedy.

I'm currently reading a Phillipa Gregory historical fiction series on the Queens of England in the 1500's.  Whew, necks got more than pecked, heads rolled! Servants and underlings were placed in precarious situations.  All my life it has troubled me to watch individuals be cruel to others.  Joy abounds when we encourage one another, but selfishness tends to surface faster than the surrendering of our rights or "needs."

"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice!

Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.

And the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,

just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

Philippians 2:3

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, 

there you find disorder and every evil practice."

James 3:16