Issue 1662 Dee-Dee-Dee February 1, 2025
Walking along the path, we were greeted by the dee…dee…dee of a chickadee. Chickadees are usually curious and pretty tame. This one stayed with us as we tromped around much of the park, 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 grates on the ears. Their tone 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. Now, I know that none of us has total control of the voice that God has given us. Yet, we can be responsible for our tone when speaking.
We all know people whose hurts and bitterness come through in their tone, even when trying to be positive. We have all been guilty of this. It may be 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.
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 our tones as well.
Until next time, may you be more of an encouraging chickadee than a squawking crow.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
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Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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