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 ur mission
center overlooks a small lake. It’s a quiet, contemplative
setting that’s perfect for a pensive moment. One day as
I sat reading on the platform of our boathouse, I felt very
alone and in need of answers. I’d been going through a
particularly difficult time, and on occasion feelings of failure
and hopelessness overwhelmed me. I felt in need of a touch of
the divine to answer my questions, or at least a sign of God’s
presence—a reassurance of His hand on my life. But nothing
seemed to come, so, somewhat disappointed, I turned to make
my way back to the house.
Suddenly, I heard a loud honking
noise. The scene had been so quiet that it startled me. As I
swung about to see the source of the noise, a lone goose flew
low across the water and landed gracefully in the middle of
our lake. Coming right after my ponderings, I felt the appearance
of this solitary goose could be the Lord’s way of trying
to get through to me.
It’s odd, I thought,
that this one should be alone. Geese usually travel in groups
as they make their way to their northern homes in the spring.
But I neither heard nor saw any other geese around. I sat there
watching him paddling slowly forward at first. Then he seemed
to become more and more unsettled, paddling faster, in ever-smaller
circles. His honking sounded rather distressed. He seemed to
be in need of something or someone. Maybe he feels alone,
I thought.
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I
watched for some minutes, as he continued his honking and nervous
paddling. But I could perceive no lessons out of the scene for
me, so I started up the stairs to the house, still deep in thought.
I then felt a strong, unexpected
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urge
to walk around to the front of our hill, which leads down to
the river that runs into the lake. There is a bridge there,
and to my surprise, I saw that hidden behind the underbrush,
sitting, walking, or quietly swimming about in the water beneath
the bridge were five other geese. Apparently the lone fellow
in the lake was a part of this small flock, but had tried to
go it alone for a while. I wondered what these others would
do.
Suddenly they all turned in the
direction of their friend and began honking as loud as they
could, leaning their heads far forward, as if to say, “Don’t
worry! We’re still here!” With that call of reassurance,
they all flew in unison to aid and comfort their errant comrade.
One landed and began to swim
beside the formerly lone goose. Soon the others joined them
and they all swam peacefully side by side, still honking, but
in soft, reassuring tones now. Repentance, forgiveness, mercy.
I was shocked and amazed. So
this is what I was to learn that day: Because I feel something
with my emotions or even see it with my eyes, that doesn’t
make it so. I didn’t see God’s comfort or care that
day, just as the lone goose had not seen the other geese around
the bend, but they were there nonetheless, ready and waiting
to rescue him at the sound of a call for help.
Why should it be a surprise to
us when we go astray or try to go it alone for a time, that
the Lord doesn’t rescue us immediately? He’s there,
but He’s waiting on us. Maybe He’s waiting for us
to learn a lesson, or to see the error of our ways for ourselves,
or to call for His help when we finally see that we really need
it. But He is always there, always waiting. And He will fly
to our side on wings of love whenever we call.
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Do
you ever feel alone? Do you ever feel hopeless,
confused, or discouraged? Of course we all feel
that way sometimes. But just remember that the
Lord is always there to show you His love, and
His love can make everything look brighter.
Call
on God, and His love will reach out to you. You’ll
feel the difference. His love comes in many forms.
Sometimes it’s just between you and Him—that
special feeling of peace and oneness you feel
with Him in your heart. Other times He may send
His love in the form of encouragement from a friend
or even a stranger, an answer to prayer, or an
unexpected blessing.
So
many people needlessly struggle through life,
when a little time with their Creator would take
care of so many of their problems and give them
the comfort and reassurance they need.
—David
Brandt Berg
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