 Every year at this time, a pair of Canada geese settle onto my
front lawn for a week or two. My family has nicknamed them Fred and
Ethel. (We are of course assuming these are the same birds each year,
and that there is one male and one female. Frederica and Ethel?) As I
was walking into an appointment recently, I noticed a pair of Canada
geese standing on the roof of a new house and honking profusely. The two
geese were honking the way an old married couple natters. "I know there
is a house here, but it wasn't here last year!" "Oh, would you just
stop and ask for directions! We're lost!" "No, we are not lost! I'm
telling you, this was an empty field last year." "Sure. Whatever you
say."
Have you ever heard the old sermon illustration
about Canadian Geese? It is said that as the geese fly in a 'V'
formation, they honk a lot as a way to encourage the goose who is
leading. My thoughts? Ever notice that geese in formation change their
leader often? Most think being at the head of the gaggle is hard work,
so to keep speed, frequent change is necessary. I think its because
all that honking is actually criticism, and the leader can only take it
for a few minutes before giving up. Canada geese must have Baptist
roots.
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