Monday, March 7, 2011

communication in flight

This morning I watched and listened as geese flew overhead and noticed, especially, when a pair of geese flew in for a landing on a local pond.  As they approached, one flew half a body length ahead of the other.  They constantly honked at each other as they descended and touched down on the pond surface.  Then they paddled to the edge, climbed out of the water and finished a brief discussion (one even pecked the other...a kiss, maybe?)  I understand that geese are monogamous for life so we humans already have much to learn from them.  But I wondered at the constant chatter as they were coming in to land.  My guess is that the sound helped each of them understand their spacing and position as they came down and landed.  That way the leader could keep his eyes on the flight pattern, knowing his partner was near without having to look.  Apparently geese don't fly independently...they fly together.  We also need to communicate with each other.  Particularly as couples, we need to check our spacing and stay together as we fly and as we land and as we deal with problems along the way.  I read somewhere that when a goose is shot out of the sky two other geese fly down and stay with the wounded goose...trying to assist until the goose dies.  I don't think all birds or other wildlife have this kind of connection but I am confident that the Lord would have us support each other in a very similar way.  We need to be looking toward the objective while checking with those around us so that we each can come in for a safe landing.
 
Ecclesiastes 4:11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
 
blessings (honking to all for a safe landing),
Rob Smith

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