I’ve been introduced to some sweet sounds recently… a new kind of music.

Our son brought us two very young Michigan kittens the week of Christmas;  J.J. and his sister, Jenny, are making their home in Tom’s shop. At first, they were so afraid, hiding from us at the sound of our voices; any noise petrified them.  They discovered places to hide we thought impossible.  No amount of  coaxing helped; treats were not appreciated.  Almost a week later, all our antics were rewarded, and they slowly came closer.  I had even played YouTube music for cat’s anxiety!

It wasn’t long until they began whispering purrs.  What a sweet sound of contentment and security.  They are now at peace with us, and purr constantly in our presence. They love romping or sleeping outside in the sun, but I think they prefer being near us! Here they are on Tom’s workbench— their favorite place when he is working near. They are looking at him and purring loudly.  I can hear the music when I open the door. 

Aren’t our songs, our purrs,  amazing when we are are assured and peaceful?

One morning last week, my tea bag had a short imperative message. Now, ordinarliy, I do not listen to the leaves in my tea bag! But this one got my attention: Be guided. Listen to the whispers of  _____________.  

I immediately thought it would read … your Creator.  But it did not. Be guided. Listen to the whispers of the universe. I have no idea how to listen to the universe, but I do understand what it means to listen to the whispers of our Creator… who made the universe!

Noise is a constant… a cacophony of sound waves blasts around us.  We easily hear the noise in our days, never paying attention to the hum of appliances and the traffic around us… it’s a passive action, automatic.  It doesn’t matter if the clangs and bangs are loud or if the sobs and murmurs are softer, most get no further than the eardrum.  We only hear it…

Unless…

I so love when Tom listens. Really listens.  You know… when he looks me in the eyes,  intentionally connecting with me.  I feel loved… known. It is a wilful, thoughtful decision, as he gives me his full attention.

Listening is never passive; it is active. It is a deliberate, engaging choice. Research indicates most of us understand, we hear what is being said– and we retain 50% of a conversation THEN, and after 48 hours, retention drops to roughly 25%. We have heard, but did we listen?

*Whispers on the Journey, my book, a practical guide using the ABCs in praise, published in 2020,  view here       is my effort to share how I listened to the Father’s whispers. Years of  walking and actively listening were foundational to my survival.  I ironed and listened, I cleaned, focused on hearing; I studied and understood.  Whispers are the loudest when I am the quietest. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

These past weeks and months, I’ve forgottten how to listen. It has been disturbing to know I could “hear”, but understanding became increasingly difficult.  Worries and self focus on the what-ifs robbed me from hearing the promises. Negatives canceled my PollyAnna nature.

The Hebrew word for hear and listen is the same.  The word is used over one thousand times in the Scriptures.  But according to a limited research on the topic, the word Shama means literally… to hear, to listen intelligently and obey. How novel that we should hear with intention and  listen… and obey God’s whispers. “Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me” (Psalm 43:3).

But alas, often the hard issues of life, muff our ability to focus on the real priority, and we can’t even hear, much less listen. Struggling to listen was a frustration, and not the joy of my past experiences.  Worry and busyness so consumed me, stripping me of peace, I was unable to listen.  I let the fear of never walking again after my accident last May prevent my ears from hearing. **

Until I heard and understood the purring…

… contentment and security are positive choices.  Peace in the chaos of life is a good thing, and we discover a new security as we embrace the chaos. Listening and obeying the Creator’s whispers balance the negatives. 

“There must be always remaining in every man’s life some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathlessly beautiful… life is saved by the singing of angels.” (Deep is the Hunger, Howard Thurman). I love, love this quote.

J.J. and Jenny’s purring makes me smile.  “I am completely happy, and I trust you,” they declare with each purr.  I can’t help but sense our Creator Father smiles when we are content and secure in Him, When we let go and give Him our worries, our struggles. “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3: 17).  

… and we purr. 

*The Dedication to my Whispers book:

To you, the reader, as you journey this life in an awareness of His whispers, and to you, who long for more of the Father’s presence, more of His voice, I dedicate this book, as you journey this life… listening. 

**An added note:   If I don’t listen well, then I can’t write. It has been a while since my last blog. I am “almost” walking… not quite normally, but progress is happening along with accepting this chapter on my journey. All is well.