Recently, a friend shared with me some cool things about geese that have been spurring us on during this crazy holiday season at Stroopies! Geese our communal…they tackle things together and when the leader in the front gets tired in the flying formation, it just knows to fall back into the pack, and let another come up to the front to take the lead. Geese are known to “honk” to encourage each other when they just need an extra nudge to keep going. Also, in the Celtic tradition the Holy Spirit is represented not as a peaceful dove but instead as a “Wild Goose.” The Wild Goose reveals a Spirit which is courageous, noisy, and passionate. This symbol reminds us that God’s Spirit cannot be contained or tamed. Sometimes, on this journey with Stroopies (especially during the holidays) we wonder if we are just on a “wild goose chase”…and have lost our minds! :) Stroopies was founded to provide meaningful employment for resettled refugee women, to be a safe place for women to start over in their new home. We love this part of what we do, and it grounds us. Our current reality at Stroopies is that we do approximately 50% of our business in the last six weeks of the year. This past weekend we were set up at six different remote locations spreading holiday cheer and selling lots of Stroopies for holiday gifts!!! When we are really busy during the holidays, we need people to “honk” and encourage us! We need to “honk” at each other and spur each other on to keep going. We also desperately need the Holy Spirit, our Wild Goose Leader to nourish and encourage our spirits. The last several nights when my husband and I have been laying down to sleep, flocks of geese have been flying above our skylights, honking away. Their honks have been a reminder that we are not alone and that there is a “heavenly team Stroopie” working on our behalf as well! So, my friends, be encouraged by the geese and the lessons that they have to teach us…and keep “honking.” Your “honks” are spurring us on!!!