Issue 952 – Bird Calls – January 7, 2023
As we walked along the forested trail, we were greeted by the dee-dee-dee of a black-capped chickadee. Chickadees are usually curious and pretty tame. This one stayed with us for quite some distance as we hiked, giving us our own private serenade the whole time.
There is something about the song of a chickadee that always encourages me. Even when they are upset, it is still a pleasant sound.
Contrast that to the sound of a crow. Even the sound of a happy crow can grate on the ears. The tone of their caw-caw-caw is harsh and nagging.
What a lesson we can learn from the birds about the tone of our voice. A word of criticism in a gentle tone is sometimes more pleasant than a word of encouragement given in a shrill nagging tone.
We all know people whose hurts and bitterness come through in their tone, even when trying to be positive. All of us have been guilty of it. Perhaps it is time for a tone check. Is our tone angry or nagging even when we are not angry or nagging? The words “I love you” do not carry much weight if they sound like they are spat with venom.
Now, I know that none of us has control of the overall voice that God has given us. Yet, we can be responsible for our tone when speaking.
We can also learn from the birds about how much we speak.
Ring-necked doves have a pretty coo for a few calls. Unfortunately, they seem never to be quiet, and their coo quickly becomes irritating. Even a pleasant voice can be annoying if it never stops.
A stuffed owl never makes a sound.
Knowing when to speak and when to be silent can also be a valuable tool. It is hard to converse with someone who won’t let you get a word in or someone who won’t speak.
We know the Scripture calls us to watch our words.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:7-12
Control of the tongue means more than just changing our words. It also means that we watch both our tone and the quantity of our speech.
Until next time, may you be more of an encouraging chickadee than a squawking crow. May you find the balance between non-stop chatter and total silence.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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