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“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.“
1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)

A treasured message from Dad.

Our son, Ryan, called me on his first birthday after we said goodbye to his dad for a season.

“Mom, I found a voice message from Dad telling me Happy Birthday. I have listened to it over and over again today.”

He played it for me, and Steve’s voice said, “Happy birthday, Bud. I am so glad you are mine.”

I felt the familiar fear fill my heart…

I am afraid I will forget the sound of his voice.

It is a real fear of mine.

Many times, since Steve went home to be with the Lord, I have listened for his voice.

In the unbearable silence that roars in the quiet, I still listen for his voice.

That message from our son sent me on a mission of my own.

Most of the time, when my husband, Steve, called, I quickly grabbed the phone, and we had our conversation.

But surely, somewhere, there must be a voicemail message from him to me.

The search was on. Finding my old cellphone and old charger, I began the process.

It didn’t take long. I hit the ‘arrow’ to play a message, and the most wonderful sound of his voice reached my ears and went straight to my heart.

“Hey, it’s about ten-to-nine, and I was just checking on you to see if you are bringing your mom home with you.”

And then the most wonderful words came from that deep voice I had known for as long as I could remember…

“I love you. I miss you. Can’t wait ’til you get home.”

The tears came, and they didn’t stop for a long while that night.

More than anything, as I listened to that message, I wanted to hear him call my name.

There was something so special when he called me by my name. I heard him say it in many ways.

He told me he loved me more times than I can count.

Then, there were times when I would hear him say,
“I love you, Kathy.”

Emotions I could not even describe filled my heart, soul, and mind when this boy I had loved since I was a young girl spoke my name with his love for me.

I would stop in my tracks and just savor the moment, and the sound of my name spoken by him.

Not always did he call my name in that wonderful sound of love.

There were times he called my name in a warning.

There are snakes where we live–requiring snake boots to be worn pretty much year-round.

“Kathy, stop right there!”

Of course, I needed to know the reason for his sudden command.

“Look, right there. Don’t move.”

And there was a rattlesnake, coiled up and ready to strike if the human took another step.

Love and concern for me brought my name to his lips that day.

But even though I still stop at times and listen, I can no longer hear Steve’s voice audibly.

When the earthly voice we miss brings such longing, God draws near, and it is His voice we can still hear.

His voice is steady.

His whisper is not loud or forceful, but it is steady, and His faithfulness is true. His voice reminds us that even though our ears can’t hear the voice we miss, the love behind it remains.

I love the story of Elijah – tired, completely worn-out, and full of fear.

In 1 Kings 19:9 (NIV), we read:

There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

The Lord came to Elijah and called his name. What a joy for Elijah to hear his own name spoken by the Lord.

Though I have not heard God’s voice audibly as Elijah did in that moment, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that I have heard the voice of God.

God knows my heart intimately, and He speaks my name in ways that leave no doubt that the name He’s calling is mine.

Kathy,

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”
Luke 12:27 (NIV)

One day, we will see Jesus and will hear His voice clearly.

I will hear Jesus’s voice audibly as He calls my name. On my face before Him, I will thank Him for giving His life on that cross, for forgiving me and saving me from my sins. I will thank Him for the gift of eternal life — for the Hope of heaven.

And I believe there will be another voice I will then hear. I will recognize it immediately when Steve calls my name and tells me…

“I have missed you, Kathy. I love you, and I am so glad you’re Home.”

And I will be Home.

Dear Father God, thank You that Your whisper remains as we are left with the memory of our husband’s voice. One day, we will hear You speak our names face-to-face, and we will be Home. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen