Listen to this week’s blog and enjoy the sounds of songbirds!
Out my kitchen window lies a beautiful meadow and a pond. It is quite peaceful to look upon, but it is rarely quiet. Geese fly in and out, honking loudly. Predator birds are mobbed by screeching smaller birds. As I write, a rooster crows far in the distance. Mourning doves coo softly and songbirds trill, whistle and cheep.
In listening to the songbirds, I imagine ways of writing their language. I hear, “Twitter, twitter, twitter, TWEET,” or “Chello, chello.” My mom introduced me to birdsong when she fed our birds. She would sing out, “Chick-a-dee, dee, dee, chick-a-dee, dee, dee.” As a child I adored Hans Christian Andersen’s story, “The Nightingale,” about a plain bird that sang more beautifully than any other. While researching birdsong, I have discovered familiar songs to me, translated into mnemonic phrases like, “Peeeter, peeeter,” a slow call, or “Bubble, bubble, zee,” and one of my favorites, “Sip-your-teeee.” One can imagine the chirpy, high-pitched songs versus the alarm calls birds employ.
Birds have amazing vocal abilities. They have a larynx. But their actual voice boxes are two syrinxes which are able to vocalize both inhaling and exhaling. Songbirds learn their songs. Some species have a repertoire of dozens of songs. The power of their voices is enormous for the size of their bodies. While scientists believe their songs serve to claim their territory or seek a mate, much is still a mystery. A significant detail that is not understood is why they sing most just before break of day.
Whatever the birds are communicating, to me they always sing JOY. It seems clear that they fulfill the last verse of the Psalms, “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord.”
Hearing songbirds all day long compels me to consider how I am using my voice. This has also been prompted by a recent Bible study of Psalm 103. Our study asked those of us in the group to memorize the psalm. Psalm 103 begins and ends with calls to praise God. A number of us felt that by the act of praising God, we experienced greater peace. I felt free to sing out the words of the psalm as I drove around running errands. Learning the verses was encouraging, because focusing on the truth of God’s faithfulness, forgiveness, love and compassion at the heart of the chapter, helped me trust Him more deeply. Many days I started and ended my day by reciting the verses.
In contrast, these last few weeks I have struggled to keep control of my tongue. While preparing some lessons for a Bible study of the book of James, my attention was drawn to the negative power of the tongue. James describes the tongue as a fire, evil, untameable, and poisonous. Since working on those lessons I have been battling the urge to gossip. It has been a war where I have had to steel myself against sharing “the scoop.” Sadly I see that my inclination is to spread some story rather than to act compassionately and close my mouth.
Recently I resisted the urge to text my daughters the news that our resident swan was menacing the goslings by the pond. I thought, “Why report that frustration?” Yet I have had to examine my negative tendencies in conversation. How often do I complain, or in my case tell a "cute” story about a family member's foibles? Do I regularly bemoan the wrongs of this world or spout my angst about any individual or situation? Do I regret talking too much, while not listening well? Is my home a place “where seldom is heard a discouraging word?”
Back to the example of songbirds for some retraining. As I approach the day, I can make it a practice to praise God for who He is, early and often throughout my day as an act of worship and obedience. Gratitude for all His gifts naturally follows praise. Finally, I ask Him to shape my voice and my life into a song of blessing to others.
I lift my voice in praises of satisfaction taken from Psalm 104:
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,...You make springs gush forth in the valleys...Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
And I offer this prayer for redemption of my conversations, so they are always woven with compassion and grace, from Psalm 19:14 TLB:
“May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.”
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Linnea Tideman has always enjoyed sharing stories. Her childhood in New Hampshire and her Swedish heritage have provided her with a wealth of experiences, but also the foundation of her faith. She enjoys creative projects, travel, books, sewing, gardening, but most of all hospitality, often hosting fancy teas and occasionally something grand like recreating dinner on the Titanic. She serves the UrbanPromise and Good Neighbors ministries. Linnea lives in Landenberg with her husband Dave. They have three grown daughters. She hopes that her writing reflects how God continues to reveal Himself to us as our shepherd and Savior.
Join Willowdale Women on June 26 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Kennett Campus for a laid-back, laughter-filled evening of delicious bites, sweet treats, and great conversation! This potluck is all about women connecting, enjoying good food, and building relationships across generations from both campuses, from high school on up. Come hungry! We’ll have a spread that’s sure to satisfy every craving, from savory snacks to sweet treats. Feel free to bring an appetizer or dessert that reflects your style—whether it’s your grandma’s secret recipe or a trendy Instagram-inspired treat!