Are you a goose?

Thought: Remember the banana-when it left the bunch, it got skinned.

Biblical text: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

Few sights evoke as much attention, and awe, as that of a large flock of Canadian geese winging their way in their V-formation to the north or south. They speak of the changing of seasons, and also of the value of teamwork.

What many don't know is that when a goose gets sick, or perhaps is wounded by a shot, it never falls from formation by itself. Two other geese also fall out of formation with it and follow the ailing goose down to the ground. One of them is very often the mate of the wounded bird, since geese mate for life and are extremely loyal to their mates. Once on the ground, the healthy birds help protect him and care for him as much as possible, even to the point of throwing themselves between the weakened bird and possible predators (can you feel it?). They stay with him until he is either able to fly, or until he is dead. Then, and only then, do they launch out on their own. In most cases, they wait for another group of geese to fly overhead and they join them, adding to the safety and flying efficiency of their numbers.

If only we human would care for one another this well! Stick with your friends, and more importantly, stick by them.

Adventists believe in emotional wholeness. The church provides various counselling services for its members and the general community.

Counselling is available for individuals, couples and families. Services cover areas such as -

• family/couple therapy
• crises
• depression
• grief & loss
• pre-marriage, relationship issues
• adolescent behaviour
• the Bridge Street Centre also offers mediation, nutrition counselling, social work and psychological services.