Geese, nose rings, and devastation 🪿

Last night my kids watched one of my favorite movies from childhood: Fly Away Home. I’m pretty sure we rented the VHS from the library as a kid.

Quick recap if you haven’t seen it: A young teen loses her mom in a car crash. She has to leave New Zealand and move to Canada to live with the father she barely knows. Then she finds a nest of orphaned Canada Geese and raises them. Teaches them to fly. And eventually leads them south on their migration — flying a motorized hang-glider with a giant goose painted on the front.

She gets a nose ring. They land on an Air Force base. There’s a stand-off with a corporation trying to bulldoze trees to build condos. It’s chaos and it’s beautiful.

But here’s the real story underneath the story that I didn’t get in 1998: while she’s mothering the flock, she and her dad are rebuilding their relationship. The geese matter to him because they matter to her. He makes the impossible possible—because he loves his daughter, and somehow he knows her healing is tangled up in this flock.

It’s not easy leading them home. But finally, just in the nick of time, they make it.

Watching that gaggle get herded — off course, back on course, off course again — made me think of the leaders we meet in Scripture.

Moses, leading a wandering people.
Elijah, leading a divided, easily-swayed kingdom.
Ezra, leading the exiles home to rebuild.

In Ezra’s story we read that he had the pedigree of the priestly line. He had studied and prepared to be ready for the work of teaching and leading. God hand was upon him—supporting and guiding. And he was called to the work of helping the remnant rebuild.

And yet.

There’s a moment where Ezra just sits down. Devastated. (Ezra 9:4) He hears how hard the rebuilding is actually going to be, and it flattens him.

This isn’t a brand-new believer. He’s prepared. He’s anointed. He’s standing where God has called him.

And it’s still devastating.

Life doesn’t go like we plan. (Trust me. 😂) We try to get our ducks in a row and end up chasing our tail instead.

Here’s something I preached years ago that still preaches to my own heart today:

God is consistent in His character—and often unexpected in His actions.

He is trustworthy. And things may feel like they’re falling apart.
He is good. And things may look bleak.
He is kind. And life may be devastating.

God is the constant. Life is the variable.

He won’t stop tenderly leading us. Intentionally mothering us. Guiding us toward where we’re called to go — even when that place holds heartbreak. He’ll be there too.

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon, even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. — Psalm 139:8–10

Whether you’re on a beach with a cold drink in your hand, or in a hospital room appalled that THIS is your life — God is holding you, my friend.

And He won’t let go.

💖 Cute swimsuit — I adore this swimsuit! Super flattering and supportive while still being comfortable and kid-chasing-approved. Plus it comes in a host of colors!

💖 Cereal for Dinner — This reminder. I haven’t given up on my cool summer reading/daily activities sheets—but I have for sure loosened my grip.

💖 Claiming God’s Faithfulness Bible Study — For those devastating seasons when you need to hold tight to the truth that God won’t let you down.

💖 The Best Water Bottles — These have been working extra hard in our family these past few hot-hot days. Love the 90s inspired color-combo too!

💖 Backyard favs — We hosted Daisy’s second birthday in our backyard and it was sweaty, yet laid-back delightful. Cupcakes and ice cream cups from Walmart paired with water balloons, an ice-filled water table, and bubble wands. This list has some of our favorite things in our backyard and are perfect for hosting kids or adults.

Happy 4th of July weekend! Be safe and have fun! 🧨🍦🇺🇸

✨Katie