Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
We’ve all heard the expression “the honeymoon’s over” as a reference to the solemn reality that day-to-day married life is often not the same as those first few glorious days after the “I do’s” have been said. It’s not that love isn’t present; it’s just that taking out the garbage doesn’t carry with it the same glamour as rice that’s being thrown.
We can find something we can bend into an equivalent model in the bird world. The Prairie Warbler is one of those colorful species concentrated in the southeastern portion of the United States. In spite of its name, it doesn’t inhabit prairies, but resides in brushy, open areas. There, it sings its two diverse songs, Type A and Type B. The first is composed of a series of long ascending buzzy notes while the second is pitched lower with even longer buzzy notes. Type A songs are sung primarily when the males first arrive to establish territory and attract mates. Type B songs predominate after the honeymoon is over and the males are fighting with other males they think might infringe upon their territory.
Perhaps these warblers, and more appropriately we, could benefit from the words found in Scripture emphasizing the importance of unity and singing the same song in concert. The first is found in Psalm 34:3 which says: “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” (NIV) And the second comes from Amos 3:3. “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (NIV) While these verses are certainly applicable in a variety of situations outside of marriage, they just as obviously are needed after the honeymoon is over.