What is Good for the Goose...

We had a delightful day today... one which was unplanned and unexpected. At the last minute, a friend wanted to keep our younger two boys for the morning. My brain quickly clicked through my checklist of open 'to-do without 2 toddlers' errand list. Nothing sounded enticing, at all!

So, I loaded the eldest two and we started driving. After a quick carwash and haircuts all around, we decided to grab sandwiches and head to a nearby park/lake. Gratefully, everyone had thrown in their small backpacks with their colored pencils and nature notebooks. There were at least 2 varieties of geese that serenaded us during our lunch. Budding Author was so taken with them that he decided to walk amongst them for what seemed like forever.

I quickly ran dry with my 'goose' knowledge ... but did pass on a few tidbits I'd learned from the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock. Geese are highly intelligent and extremely loyal. I love that loyalty part, and so did my children. Their souls long for stability and security; and the idea of 'forever' is so appealing.

Thankfully, this bridged into a discussion of God's faithfulness without sounding preachy or planned. And, my almost 8-year old just sighed and said "I love you, Mom." I have witnessed a few of the moments when God has stirred his soul... it is as if I can watch him emotionally relaxing to a point where he sees every hint of beauty surrounding him and can almost hear God's audible whisper. It is a huge privilege for me to have a glimpse of this... the 'time' I have with my children now allows for so much more than I ever imagined.

God's lessons are everywhere, if only my stubborn eyes would see. Thank you, God, for the beauty of the Canadian geese who have become domesticated by a city that loves them. Your creation never ceases to amaze and surprise me!