Walking is one of the things that I enjoy doing for exercise. I enjoy getting out and walking outdoors in the early mornings; it’s how I like to start my day. It gives me a nice dose of God’s creation, and it’s my prayer time.

I’ve noticed in these last days of summer that the geese are flying. I see them taking off together always flying in V formation, honking as they go. I have always wondered why they do that. Why do they always fly like that, and why, for goodness sakes, do they make all that noise while they fly? The answer came like the answer to many questions do when I looked it up online. What I learned was very interesting.

When geese fly in that V formation, the lift created by all their wings makes it easier for the whole flock to fly. One goose will take the point position and serve as the leader, and as it flaps its wings, it creates uplift in the air which helps the next goose back to fly. That uplift goes back through the flock as each bird flaps its wings, aiding each goose on its journey and enabling the whole flock to fly further and longer than one bird could fly individually. When the lead goose gets tired, it drops back to the back of the formation and another goose takes its place.

I learned that there is a reason for all that noise as the flock heads off together. The geese call out to one another as they fly in order to encourage one another. “Hey, keep it up!” “Good job!” “Thanks!” “Honk! Honk!”

And they say geese are silly! This is a marvelous model for the Church to follow! When we all work together and share the work of ministry, it makes it possible for us to accomplish far more than if one person did all the work. When people have the freedom to step out of leadership for a while, nobody gets seriously burned out. When we encourage and express our appreciation to one another, it affirms the value of what we are doing and encourages us to keep up the work that we are all called in love to by our Heavenly Father when we were baptized.

Years ago it was common to see a bumper sticker which read “Honk if you love Jesus.” I think we can improve on that by saying “Honk because Jesus loves you.” When we share in the work of ministry, and encourage one another, we share the love of Christ. Now when I walk in the morning and hear all that racket, I remember and give thanks for the “honks” of others that have encouraged me in my walk of faith. They have helped me to grow by their words of encouragement and also by their admonition. I remember with love the ones to whom I have “honked.” I give thanks for those who have flown with me and ahead of me in ministry and daily living. Who has “honked” to you in your walk of faith? To whom have you “honked”?

“Honk honk” to you all!

Vicar Patti