We are accustomed to loud noises. The television sound increases when commercials are on. Politicians bark their schtick. We protest to see who is the loudest. If we holler our viewpoint loud enough, we will be heard over our opposition. Political success has become about who can demean the other successfully. No holds barred in the contest to the bottom. Wisdom is thought to be who can persecute the undesirable the loudest and with the most effect. Many of us hide from the tumult. The constant din hurts our ears. Lies said loudly are still lies.

Quite aids in hearing whispers. Even churches have gone to the surefire way of recruiting more parishioners. Loud and repetitive music. This method is sold as a way to create a spiritual environment and a path to find a quiet God. A joyful noise can come from within.

Whispers engender focus. Listening is a lost art. Not listening to have time to form a witty reply, but listening to understand who is speaking. What is the homeless girl telling us? She is homeless because no one would listen. The waif is used to being ignored and unheard, and unseen. Such is life for many of the forgotten.

The President says Walmart should absorb the increased cost of tariffs. Of course, that is not going to happen. The poor will consume what they can, and their meager lifestyle will lead to poverty. Those with resources will spend more and not like it, thus becoming louder in their protestations. The voiceless will sit listening for God’s whispers.

‘I heard a whisper in the night,’ Chet said. ‘I went into Thelma’s bedroom and she was fast asleep,’ Chet noted. ‘As I returned to bed, I heard again a quiet voice say to follow me and all will be well,’ Chet recalled. ‘I asked the voice who he was,’ Chet disclosed. ‘The whisper said that he was my friend,’ Chet noted. ‘Later, I was awakened again by a still, small voice that said for me to pack light and prepare for a long journey,’ Chet said. ‘I asked where we were going and when we would leave,’ Chet said. ‘The voice said that he would tell me when it was time,’ Chet said with tears in his eyes.

‘We will be the greatest country on earth,’ the Leader said. ‘I have all of the answers and the United States is a Big Lovely Store and I own it,’ the Leader loudly proclaimed. ‘Those who do not obey my proclamations will suffer the consequences,’ the Leader noted as he danced on one foot and then the other.

‘I hear you, Eli,’ said Samuel. Samuel heard the still, small voice call to him three times before Eli understood that God was calling Samuel.

‘Join with us and you will be rich like us,’ Political/Religious Throng proclaimed. ‘We know our master’s voice and follow his precepts,’ PRT said with gusto! ‘God is on the side of Real Americans,’ PRT said through bullhorns. ‘We are bold and loud because we are right,’ PRT said.

‘Change is coming and we will be ready for it,’ Preacher said. ‘God is not in the Circus or the Arena, he is in the quiet stillness of the woods of our soul,’ the Preacher continued. ‘Each of you is here because you heard the still, small voice of your friend,’ the Preacher smiled. ‘So many believe the blow-hard rhetoric of those who are only using them for their narcissistic purposes,’ Preacher observed. ‘When you hear the Whisper of God, you know it,’ Preacher advised. ‘Truth is surrounded by light and there is no darkness in it,’ Preacher extolled. ‘There is the facsimile and there is the original, and the difference is startling,’ Preacher noted. ‘Man will say here is Christ or there is Christ, but believe it not,’ the Preacher advised. ‘A good tree does not bear bitter fruit, a sweet fountain does not have sour water,’ the Preacher said.