One of the things I miss most during the winter months is the sound of birds. Nearly every day I stop, when I venture outside, and simply listen for a few moments before I hurry on my way. It is the silence of winter that brings on remote feelings of abandonment and gives me new understanding for big city dwellers who purchase songbird CDs to bring the comfort and joy of nature into their homes. I know our feathered friends have chosen warmer places to winter. And I know they will wing their way en masse to Western Washington in the next few weeks. My family enjoys keeping track of the bird species as they return. We will go so far as to post a list on the refrigerator, just for fun. We will also purchase fresh food for the feeders, matching it with the species we observe around our yard.
This week I did not have to turn on my car lights while driving to work and my anticipation grows, along with our longer days. As the return of our feathered friends nears, I listen with increasing interest. I cannot wait for the moment, one day soon, when their early morning chorus will wake me up, reminding me that the season of new beginnings — and hours of sunlight — has arrived.
When my eldest daughter announced some years ago that she wanted a pet and thought a bird would be fun, I jumped at the idea. It has been five years now since our family welcomed Molly the cockatiel, and she is one of the best things to inhabit our home.
Since her arrival we have learned a great deal about talking, but even more about listening.
To aid in Molly’s socialization we keep her in the den and this busy location has greatly impacted the kind of bird she has become.
She arrived saying “Peek-a-boo” and trumpeting “Charge!” Today she whistles in a way that sounds just like my laugh, sings in an opera style, beeps like the microwave, and whistles using the same tone as my husband when he stands at the bottom of the stairs, attempting to get the attention of our children. We marvel at her versatility, her continual practice of the sounds we pitch at her, and her interest in engaging us in some kind of verbal interaction.
But as fascinated as I am with her ability to reproduce sounds, I am ultimately amazed at her ability to listen. She stops all activity, moves in as close to the speaker as possible, and turns her head. Listening is serious business to Molly, the cockatiel. And listening has certainly paid off.
I would never have guessed there is a lesson to be learned from a bird with a wild set of head feathers and peach-colored cheeks, but listening is what Molly does best. I have been practicing the skill this week as well, thanks to her example.
While I enjoy people immensely, I find it occasionally hard to be a good listener because I am so task-oriented. If I can check a task off my list it has been a good day. To combat this drive I deliberately refocus my attention onto the speaker, going as far as looking square into the eyes of the person wanting my attention. As a wife, mother to three, and a para-educator to scores of high school students each day, I make it a point to stop what I am doing, offering my full attention. I also stop my own thoughts from racing ahead, anticipating both the message from the speaker and my own response.
As a Christian I must be willing to listen to God, as well. And to be a faithful listener I must slow down and occasionally alter my schedule. I must ask myself questions like: Am I choosing to be so busy that I close off from what God has to say to me through scripture, Bible study, or worship? Do I really want to be challenged by God today? Are things like frustration, fear or pride restricting the word of God from positively impacting my thoughts and choices today?
“Consider carefully how you listen” it says in Luke 8:18 and I see how practical God’s word to us can be.
Surely there is a beautiful song, a life-saving message, inspiration, hope, or challenge from the Lord to each of us today. Let us be quiet and listen.
Joan Bay Klope is a freelance writer and a former editor of Christian books. Contact her at jbk@hotmail.com
