I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. Genesis 9: 13-15

If you're like me, sometimes you have a tough time making your thoughts or feelings heard over the noise. (Yes, I know it's hard to believe, but it is true.)

There is so much going on around us that very few people take the time or have the ability to listen. Even to those things that are really important.

I once had the opportunity to visit with a lady who, against common practice, had produced a fairly large brood, a group composed of four boys and three girls, and, yes, she had help doing so.

What was most unusual was the fact that all of these many children seemed to listen to their mother. Thinking that she had found some magical secret of parenting, I asked her how she managed to keep their attention.

Her answer was a simple one: "With this many children in the house, I found out long ago that shouting doesn't do any good. I found that a whisper is much more effective."

If you turn on the evening news, you will find a lot of people, politicians and special interest groups, shouting for attention. Read the paper, and you will see bold print pages telling the tale of the most recent scandals. Even children seem to feel they become more important by raising their volume.

Although the Lord certainly can thunder His power, it seems He often whispers His love to us. A hurricane, a plague, an earthquake may show His control in this world, but Scripture often records Him sharing His love in a whisper.

Look at the rainbow, which was set in the heavens to remind Noah, and us, of God's covenant.
Listen, as did Elijah, to the Lord's still small voice.

Look into the manger of Bethlehem, or stand before the silence of resurrection Sunday's open tomb. In all of these places, God has whispered of His love, which has produced our redemption.

I wonder, if people stopped shouting about what they wanted and listened to what the Lord is trying to say... if many of this world's sorrows might not start to get straightened out.

It might just be worth a try, don't you think?

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, sometimes the world and my own voice can be so loud that I don't hear You speaking to me. Send Your Holy Spirit so I may listen to the wonderful story of Your love as told in Scripture, as seen in the Savior. In His Name I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 51, 30    Hebrews 7

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