Communication

Honk! Honk! Honk! Honk! Geese are flying over my head and I hear their loud honking noise. Have you seen a flock of geese flying and honking through the sky? Use your imagination and close your eyes to see and hear them. Did you see them and hear them? Good for you!

Geese are fowl or birds. The females are called a goose, males a gander, and the young are goslings. They are vegetarians, eating grains and green vegetables. Sometimes they will eat insects and small fish.

Where I live in Colorado, the geese I see are Canadian Geese. These geese are all over North America. They fly in a V pattern, talking or honking all the way. This honking is the way they communicate with each other. Do you wonder what they say? I think they say things like: “Hey, look, there is a pond. Let’s stop and have a bite of algae to eat.” “Any of you tired? I’m tired, let’s stop and rest over there near that lake.” “Careful there is an airplane!” “Sally, catch up you’re lagging behind.” “I’m hot, why don’t we go for a swim?” Or maybe it’s just: “Careful, Careful, Careful!” “Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!” “Tired!”  “Hot!” “Catch Up, Catch Up!”  “Turn Here, Turn Here, Turn Here!” What do you think they say?

Geese fly in cooperation. They rotate and take turns flying up front. It is easier to fly slightly behind the one in front because you do not get so much drag, meaning the wind doesn’t push on you so hard. The leader or point bird works harder. They take turns taking the lead or resting behind others. This way, they can make the long distance migrations.

Geese teach me that cooperation and communication is very important. Their communication keeps them together and safe. People need to practice good communication too. Children and parents need to communicate with each other.

If geese didn’t communicate, they would not be in a nice formation of a happy honking flock. They could get hurt or become separated. They would not know where the great tasting algae was or if a predator was approaching. The geese would get more tired and have to stop more often, if they didn’t fly behind one another.

Children need to communicate with their parents. Children, tell your parents how you feel. Let them know when you feel afraid, sad, happy, hungry, hurting, tired, or just need a hug. Let them know how you feel about school and how you are doing in it and other activities. Children, your parents love you. Don’t be afraid to tell them anything good or bad.

Parents, you can help children by keeping the lines of communication open. Let your child know they can tell you anything, because you love them no matter what. Remember, how you react to your child communicates a message. Make sure your message is one that implies you are open to what they say. Make sure your face and body language, as well as your words, make it clear your child can tell you anything.

With humans, communication is not all about talk. Communication also encompasses touches, hugs, and kisses. Sitting close together is a way of communication. Eye contact is especially important. People, especially people close to one another like parent-child relationships, should look each other in the eye.

I have seen families that are broken, and most of the time it started with a breakdown in communication. I have seen people bottle up their emotions instead of speaking what they are feeling. This can cause pain inside, and sometimes, all of a sudden, it will explode.

So, parents and children, remember to smile, hug, and talk things out so your family will get closer and stronger. Just like the flock of geese make the long trips migrating, your strong, close family will go the distance. I know, because my family has made it through very tough times which could destroy weaker families.

This lesson was laid on my heart to share. I hope it will encourage you to build a stronger, closer family. God bless.

The following verses are what families, not just churches, need to do. Galatians 6:20 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Malachi 3:16a Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them… Colossians 2:2a That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love…Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated.