My family and I have been raising pet ducks for some years now, and for the most part, we've always enjoyed seeing our little flock living together in peace. That is, until last spring, when the usual squabbles between our males, Larry and Ginger, began to get more serious. Things got so bad, that my husband and I began discussing the possibility of giving away Ginger, and just keeping Larry and our female, Katie. We agonized over our decision, and we prayed that the Lord would provide us with a wonderful new home for Ginger. We contacted all of our usual connections, which had been so fruitful in the past, but each and every one resulted in dead ends this time. After months of being met with closed doors, and as a last resort, we invested in additional housing for our pets, so that we could easily separate them when necessary.

Then one day this past autumn, I witnessed a fight between Larry and Ginger that made my blood run cold. If I hadn't been able to break it up when I did, Larry would not have survived. From that moment on, I knew that my boys could no longer live together in peace. As I desperately tried to staunch the flow of blood from Larry's wounds, I heard myself cry out, "I've had enough, Lord!" And I began to whisper desperate pleas for God to send me speedy help. I called my husband, Joe, at work, and we both agreed that it was time to let Ginger go. We immediately began making inquiries, and this time, everything began falling into place, so that we were able to place Ginger in a wonderful new home in less than 48 hours.

Through this experience--and others like them--God has taught me how His perfect timing often relates to our readiness. I didn't realize it at the time, but when Larry and Ginger first began fighting last spring, I wasn't serious enough about parting with one of my pets--and I wasn't ready. And God knew it. Because of that, and because He's promised to make all things work together for my good (Romans 8:28), He didn't allow me to give my dearly-loved pet away, until He knew that it was the best possible time for me. When that time came, He allowed circumstances to move me into a position where I would be in wholehearted agreement with His will to come to pass.

My family and I still miss Ginger very much. We had raised him from a little duckling, and we had loved him and tended to his needs for more than three years. But we take great comfort in knowing that we were in God's perfect will and timing when we gave him up. Let me encourage you to "trust in the Lord with all your heart" the next time you're in a trial. (Proverbs 3:5) Wait upon Him, and follow His lead, knowing that when the time is right--and you are ready--He will open doors and work wonders for you!

Prayer: Lord, teach me how to put my whole trust in You in desperate times. Remind me that You know me better than I know myself, and You know what's best for me. Make me sensitive and obedient to Your signals for "Go," "Stop," and "Wait." Thank You that as I follow Your lead, You will give me all the wisdom and strength I need to do Your will--and to receive Your best!

- J. M. Farro