My wife Carrie went with Bennett on a field trip yesterday. The class took a trip to Lichterman Nature Center here in Memphis. They had a great day together.
After Bennett’s explanation of the trip, Carrie mentioned to me something very interesting that she observed. As they were walking along, they came upon some geese. As the group of boys and their moms approached them, the pair of geese began hissing at the group and became very agitated.
The tour guide told the group that geese are very protective (can’t say I blame them with a group of 6-7 year old boys around). Since I was not familiar with the habits of geese, I decided to do a little research myself to see what the big deal was.
Here are a few statements that I found to be noteworthy:
“Because of their strong family attachments and pair-bonding between adults, geese will vigorously defend both nests and chicks—a species characteristic that often leads to conflicts with people.”
“Pairs of Canada Geese stake out a territory early Pin the spring and begin the construction of their nest. They will defend their nesting territory and young with vigor against other geese, animals, and people. Woe to the nonobservant walker who gets too close to the nest.”
“Unlike the unfaithful drake Mallard, the male Canada Goose sticks around to help defend and watch over the young. This is why you often see a family of geese strung out single file, with a parent at each end.”
WOW! As I read this info, I began to look at how I lead my family.
- Do I allow a worldly vision to creep into our home or do I defend against it?
- Do I take initiative and show them daily a life that is lived out for God’s glory?
- When worldly visions are put in front of them, do I take the time to discuss it with them and show them how God’s Word speaks to that particular issue?
- Have I become so passive in my parenting that I allow too many things to slip in without any defense?
- Are Carrie and I on the same page and parenting together with one of us “on each end” of the line?
- Am I giving my boys a Godly picture of manhood by leading my family and rejecting passivity?
- Am I willing to defend my family with vigor or simply settle into a life of mediocrity?
I am ready to see a new generation of parents that are willing to stand up and create a New Normal for their family!
Let’s take a parenting lesson from the geese and start taking initiative for the benefit of our families!
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