The Voices that Matter

By Leslie Bertucci

Every day, we’re bombarded by so much noise, so many voices vying for our attention: texts, emails, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, TV, radio.

And, then, there are the actual human voices calling out to us. How can we possibly learn to filter out the useless noise and focus on the few voices that really matter?

I believe God gives us the grace to notice the voices that are most important to us, if we let him.

When my children were young, we went to the playground pretty often. Amid the dozens of little voices that were constantly laughing and shouting, I could always recognize the voices of my own children.

“Mom! Watch this!”

“Come push me, Mom!”

“Hey Mom! I need help!”

It never failed. My children’s voices reached a part of my brain that the other kids’ voices couldn’t touch. And, I always responded immediately, because my children are some of the most important people in my life.

Jesus the Good Shepherd says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

I find that, the more important God has become important in my life, the clearer I hear his voice, and the quicker I am to respond.

Lord, give me the grace to put you first above all else, so your voice will reach my heart like no other.