God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom, using birds……….. to teach wisdom. Job 35:9 (The Message)
On my early morning walks in Ottawa along the city’s Rideau River I spotted many Canada geese that had come up on the grassy shore to spend the night. Canada geese are beautiful birds. I used to teach a science unit about them to my elementary school students and I learned many things about these elegant looking birds.
Canada geese mate for life and are monogamous. They have a close family bond. Young remain with their parents for a full year and both mother and father take equal responsibility for nest building and child care. Together the pair teaches, guards, and feeds their youngsters until they are ready to fly off on their own.
Canada geese are great communicators. They have a large repertoire of vocalizations each with different meanings. Some scientists believe they have also developed a whole range of non-verbal actions and signs to use for effective communication.
Canada geese protect one another. I read an account of a Canada Goose who attacked a hunter on a horse after the marksman had shot his mate. The angry goose swooped down on the unsuspecting fellow and knocked him out of his saddle to the ground.
Canada geese fly in a V formation to help their fellow flyers. As each bird flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the bird behind it. When the goose leading the formation is tired it rotates back into the V and another goose flies up to the point and becomes the leader. Geese in the back of the formation honk to encourage those in front to maintain their speed. When a goose gets sick, or wounded, two other geese will drop out of the formation and follow it to provide help and protection. They will stay with the ailing goose till it can fly again or it dies.
Just as Job 35:9 says, the birds God created can teach us many valuable lessons about how to live wisely. The Canada Goose is an excellent role model when it comes to living according to Biblical principles.
God make me a keen observer of your creation. May I see the life lessons you have provided in the living things with whom I share the planet. 
