"Bark"

Sometimes a dog that’s barking,

Is really safe to see,

He may sound loud and awful,

But there’s no bite to be.

Sometimes his bark is fearful,

Scared of what you’ll do,

May be he’s been mistreated,

And wants no more abuse.

Sometimes his bark’s protective,

He wants to guard his friend,

And makes the noise to save you,

Before a threat begins.

Sometimes his bark is joyful,

‘Cause he’s so glad to be,

With you the one who loves him,

Wagging, woofing free.

One day the bark goes silent,

And how you wish you could,

Hear him come to greet you,

The way he only would.

People make their noises,

Out of hurt or fright,

Or when they are protecting,

Or joyfully and bright.

So let us take a lesson,

From all that noise so we,

Don’t miss all they’re saying,

Before they’re gone, you see.

“…You must all be quick to listen…” (James 1:19, NLT)

Listening is an art that some never learn. A dog’s bark can mean many things, but if we listen we can often hear the emotion behind it. The same is true with human beings. If we listen we are giving respect and value to the person who talks to us. Listening is proactive, not passive. With body language and eye contact and no interruptions and no cell phone calls and focusing on what is being said we show we care. This is particularly important if we want to win someone over to our point of view. As believers in Jesus that agenda has been set for us. But if we never learn to listen, we will never become as spiritually productive as God intends. May we speak less and listen more.

Lord, help us be quick to listen, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Jason Rich, jasonrichstudios.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Jason, and God bless you.