Shopping recently at a local department store, I encountered a toddler loudly crying, “Mommy! Mommy! I want my Mommy!” Yet all around this teary eyed frightened crying child were mothers trying to console him. However, no matter how soothing their words or consoling their pleas not one stopped his crying or his tears. We just kept hearing “Mommy, I want my Mommy.” When suddenly we heard “Peter, Peter--Mommy’s over here.”

At the sound of his name he suddenly stopped his cries and ran to where the voice came. He jumped into his Mother’s arms and they both hugged. She was definitely the one person whom he needed to see and hear. They belonged to each other. They were safe together and they were home, even in that store!

As I watched little Peter snuggle in his Mother’s arms, I gained an insight into how Jesus wants His voice to touch our everyday lives. Jesus wants it to be the power that stabilizes us in perilous times, encourages us on cloudy days and provides joy and delight in moments of happiness.

No other voice, but His alone can do all these things with such vigor, kindness, or compassion. Why?--Simply because His soothing words are sustained by His great act of dying, rising and reconciling us with His Father. After doing all these things for us why wouldn’t His love show in every word He utters? His love is always in His heart simply anticipating the moments He can speak to those He loves.

This is why He whispers our name no matter the frequency, or the reason--and why we should run to that lovingly familiar Voice as little Peter did--to his Mother's--with excitement and a big hug. When we do, Jesus may utter "You’re home. You’re with me.” And like Peter we will feel just as safe!