The whispers: Whispers are interesting things. Whispers are meant for their hearers. Little children, like my granddaughters, will say, “Lala, I want to tell you a secret?” and they come with hand cupped alongside their mouths to speak what only I am to here. Movies over the years have made whispers scary, like haunted calls from the dark to speak painful, untold horrors.

But self-whispers….

People say all kinds of things. Yet, it is true, that what I whisper to myself has the greatest impact on me. It makes me wonder, with what voice am I whispering to myself, joyful little creations like my granddaughters or dark horrors of pain?

Old song playing in my head:

Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers, someone who’s there

Feeling unknown and you’re all alone
Flesh and bone by the telephone
Lift up the receiver, I’ll make you a believer

Take second best, put me to the test
Things on your chest you need to confess
I will deliver, you know I’m a forgiver

Reach out and touch faith

Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode

This song was a popular tune from when I was a teenager. It is said from Songfacts.com that the song was inspired by Priscilla Presley’s book Elvis And Me, where she described their relationship. Martin Gore of Depeche Mode said: “It’s a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It’s about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships – how everybody’s heart is like a god in some way, and that’s not a very balanced view of someone, is it?”

Truth: We can be like Jesus to people, but it is very dangerous to be a god in some way to them.

Game Changers: Sometimes in life a series of things happen and as I sit in them. I hear echoes like someone using a megaphone from far away. You can barely make out the key words along with the wa-wa-wa-wa- wa – like from the teacher on Charlie Brown. In the clip I linked – The teacher is speaking, and the students tell us what is being said.

This makes me think about how God speaks to us, but we can’t hear it clear and then we have people around us (friends, teachers, mentors) who help us and guide us to understand what God is saying and doing in our lives when we don’t get it. They give light to the path.

I’ve been hearing echoes for days of words from the past. Words about healing and prayer. Words about wearing and picking up mantles. I hear my heart speaking whispers of prayer. But they feel dangerous, and I sense doubt and questions of “could it be?” “Why would He ask me?” “Who am I?” “I have no clue about that?” and whispers of fear, “But, Lord, asking for such things invites hardship and suffering??” Right?…We don’t get to just become something without becoming a living letter….

Lord, hold my faltering heart.

Something good: Granddaughter #2 turned 3 this week.

The joy and giggles of excitement are so wonderful.

Thanks for Listening,

Starla