“Honk”
for Help
By Karen D’Amore
“Bear one another’s
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians
6:2 (NIV)
I
felt alone as I walked through a dreadfully dark season. Though I struggled to
maintain my “everything is fine” persona, the weight of isolation was crushing
me. A few close friends were aware of my circumstances; however, the magnitude
of my pain remained undisclosed. Fearful of being burdensome, my life often
emulated a “go it alone” guise. Considering Galatians 6:2, I’m more comfortable
being a “bearer” as opposed to a “bear-ee” of burdens.
Though
Scripture contradicts this propensity to fly solo through adversity, I’ve
wrestled with voicing needs. God realigned my heart by illustrating
spiritual truths through nature. Living in an area saturated with Canadian
geese, I’m mesmerized by their “V” formation flight patterns. Impelled to
research, I was touched by their God-given instincts:
“As geese flap their wings, it
creates an up-lift for the other geese. Flying in a “V” formation adds 71%
greater flying range than if they flew alone…When a goose falls out of
formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It
quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the
goose immediately in front of it… When the
lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to
the point position… The
geese flying in formation honk to
encourage those up front to maintain their speed. When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation
and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with the goose until it dies
or is able to fly again, launching out with another formation or catching up
with the flock.” [1]
One day I was struggling alone
in my crushing circumstances and I
spotted a lone goose honking and flying zealously. In the distance was
a flock of geese flying in “V” formation. My heart ached for the lone goose as
it frantically honked and attempted to catch up with the flock.
Remarkably, as the flock of geese became aware of the lone goose through its
persistent honking, they circled
back… allowing the lone goose to catch up and join the flock.
Overcome with emotion, the lessons from these geese pierced my
heart. Recognizing their need for each other, geese don’t fly alone!
Instinctive communication/honking is vital to their relationships. As
Christ-followers, designed to need one another…we’re also called to be “honkers!” “Honk” to encourage …help those who “honk” and “honk” for
help!
GOING DEEPER:
1.
How are you “honking”?
FURTHER READING:
[1] Quotes
taken from Curriculum Leadership
Development: A Guide for Aspiring School Leaders by Carol A. Mullen, p.
111. Original work: Lessons
from Geese by Dr. Robert McNeish
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
