The other evening I popped in to have a quick word with dad and mum. I was expecting to see them relaxing in front of the TV. Dad had a look of exasperation and mum was red faced from laughter. I quickly asked what was wrong. Dad, pointing to his 8 month old puppy, said “It’s him!” Mum laughingly exclaimed, “He comments about everything!”
It turns out that their (all too clever and extremely hyperactive) puppy has taken to watching television with them. He will sit, hours on end, watching and barking at his favourite shows and advertisements. He has become such an addict, that he immediately recognizes the music to favourite advertisements and will come running from another room so as not to miss the viewing.
The most annoying thing is the incessant barking, dad and mum can’t hear any dialogue – only the dog’s! This reminds me how we, as Christians, need to be very careful NOT to comment about everything. Proverbs 10:23 says, “Whoever keeps his mouth and His tongue, keeps himself out of trouble.” Let us be good listeners, slow to answer and, when we do, let it be seasoned with the grace of God.