Encouragement

Even if you are aware of why geese fly in ">" formation, it is a good reminder for us humans. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By doing this, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone—and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back and another goose flies point. Also, the following geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep on keeping on and to keep up their speed.

Also, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

We would do well to follow the example of the geese.

Dear God,
please help me
to be a good team member
to lead when it is my turn,
and to be a good follower
and encourager when another is taking the lead.

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.

Failure Is Never Final

Failure is never final for the person who gets up one more time than s/he stumbles, falls, or gets knocked down. The crucial thing, whenever we fail or fall, is that, with God's help and the support of loving friends, we get up, go on, and learn from the experience.

In younger days I recall how I made a big error where I was working on. Fortunately I had a very understanding boss. I felt really bad but have never forgotten his encouraging words. He said, "the person who never made a mistake never made anything!" Good advice for all of us who have failed and made mistakes.

I trust the following poem is as encouraging for you as it has been for me:

   I would rather stumble a thousand times
   Attempting to reach a goal,
   Than to sit in a crowd
   In my weather-proof shroud,
   A shriveled and self-satisfied soul
   I would rather be doing and daring
   All of my error-filled days,
   Than watching, and waiting, and dying,
   Smug in my perfect ways.
   I would rather wonder and blunder,
   Stumbling blindly ahead,
   Than for safety's sake
   Lest I make a mistake,
   Be sure, be safe, be dead.
                        — Author Unknown

Dear God

please help me

to always get up

when I fail, fall,

or get knocked down.

 

Help me

not to beat

myself up

or blame others

for my failures,

but accept your forgiveness,

forgive myself,

learn from my mistakes,

and go on to bigger and better things.

 

Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. 

Unsaid Feelings