Hamilton Duck

In May, Mrs. Porter found an abandoned duckling wandering alone on a lakeside. She took the duckling home, and named him Hamilton. Hamilton lived on Mrs. Potter’s screen porch, in a wooden box padded with cloth rags. After school, Petey would visit Hamilton.

Hamilton learned to eat out of Petey's hand, and they played hide and seek among the chair legs. Hamilton quacked hello when Petey arrived, and quacked good-bye when Petey left. In August, he’d walk Hamilton on a leash down a sidewalk.

“Funny looking dog,” a neighbor said every time he walked that duck.

In September, he’d run a mile home from school to visit Hamilton. In October, Mrs. Porter met Petey on her porch steps, holding Hamilton in her arms. A flock of flying ducks quacked high overhead. Hamilton was quacking, too. All three looked up. She said, “I waited all day for you to finish school, Petey. Hamilton began his quacking this morning.” Petey understood. Hamilton was leaving. They stood in her front yard. Petey held Hamilton in his arms. Mrs. Porter said, “Hamilton is a wild duck. He needs other ducks. He’ll fly south with new friends.” He tossed Hamilton into the air. Hamilton sped off, quacking loudly and chasing wild ducks.

Little hearts break and learn and heal. So do big hearts.

Sometimes we lose the target of our love -- a duck, a dog, a human being, a mother, father, sister, brother -- but we don’t lose the love, because love is eternal, because God is eternal love.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, love us. Connect us through love. Amen.

Today’s Thought Is: Love connects us. God is love.


Source:
1 John 4