An Unusual Friendship

They always fascinate me when I see them in the sky.
I watch the way they fly with precision.
They fly until they form a perfect, V shape.
They honk loudly as they fly overhead.

I always wonder what body of water they are flying towards.
I can think of a few ponds that are close by.
I know that a lake nearby is a possibility.
It is the honking sound that can be deafening as they fly above me.

Geese fly farther together than they ever could when they fly alone.
The lead goose, at the point of the V, expends the most energy.
The geese rotate that position so the lead goose gets time to rest.
If any goose has to drop out of formation, other geese will stay with the goose to protect it.

The honking of the geese serves a purpose.
The geese honk loudly so they can locate each other.
The geese also honk to encourage the other geese as they fly.
We can learn many life lessons from the geese.

I happened to see a video that amazed me.
It was about a ten pound Canadian goose and a man.
The goose’s name was Kyle.
The man’s name is Mike; both live on a lake near Portland, Oregon.

Kyle follows Mike around constantly.
She flies alongside his boat.
She lands on the boat and sits with him.
She will not leave Mike alone.

Two years before, Kyle was drowning in the water.
The gosling was alone and Mike was afraid she would be run over by a boat.
Mike rescued her, took her in, and took her everywhere with him.
I just figured I would keep her alive long enough to be an adult and fend for herself, Mike said.

The problem was, Kyle the goose never left Mike’s side.
I’ve driven her miles away and left her in the middle of nowhere, Mike explained.
When I come back, she’s already home before me, Mike admits.
It is an unusual friendship.

If Mike goes into town, Kyle is there with him.
Oddly enough, Kyle sticks closer to Mike when his companion is a woman.
Mike is getting used to having Kyle around.
Kyle is an incredibly trusting friend.

A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

Kyle the goose is surely staying close to Mike.
We all have friends but only a few friends will stay close to us like a brother.
A fair weather friend stays with you as long as things are going well.
A true friend stays with you even, and especially, if things get hard.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends for everything that I have learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:12-17)

There is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Jesus is that Friend.
We are Jesus’ friends if we do what He commands.
Jesus showed a greater love because He laid down His life for us.

We are Jesus’ friends because He makes known to us all the Father taught Him.
We have God’s promise.
Never will I leave you.
Never will I forsake you.

We watch the video of Kyle, the goose, and think about the kind of friend we are to others.
Do we stay by our friends even when it is hard?
Do we stay closer than a brother?
Are we a trustworthy friend?

Jesus laid down His life for us.
Jesus stays close to us even when we try to push Him aside.
Jesus’ love is a greater love.
Jesus is a faithful Friend.

How blessed we are to have Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
How blessed we are to have Jesus as our Redeemer.
How blessed we are to have Jesus as our Intercessor.
How truly blessed we are to have Jesus as our Friend.

I saw a video about a goose and thought of Jesus.
Jesus is the Friend who stays closer than a brother.
Amen.

2 responses to “An Unusual Friendship”

1. So sweet! l love this story and it is a lesson in how to be loyal to our friends. The man was so kind to take in the little gosling!

   Reply

   • I love this story, too, Sue!
     It is a simple lesson is staying close to those that matter.
     Gina

     Reply