My Daddy's Whistle

This is Heather.

I was 5 years old and I was playing in the driveway with my sister. The ball we were playing with rolled out into the street and so naturally, I started running to get it. My daddy whistled and I immediately stopped and turned around. Why? Because my daddy whistled.

I was 7 years old and I was at the creek with my neighbor and we were catching crawdads with string and pieces of hot dog. I was reeling in a "big one" when my daddy whistled! I knew it was time to come home. I didn't finish reeling it in...I dropped the string and ran home. Why? Because my daddy whistled.

I was 10 and at Disney World with my family. There were so many people there and I suddenly realized I didn't know anyone around me. I started looking for someone in my family and no one looked familiar. I started to panic and fear started swelling in me. I was just about to start crying when I heard a familiar sound. I turned around and there was my dad. I ran into his arms. Why? Because my dad whistled. 

I was 17 and in the semi-finals of the state championship basketball game. Our star player was out of the game. We were losing and I knew my basketball career was over The other team was shooting free-throws and I was on the verge of tears. I heard my daddy whistle and I knew without looking that he was saying. I gave my best until the very last buzzer. Why? Because my daddy whistled. 

3 weeks ago, I am 43, it was the first day of school. I was in my car with the praise music blaring and singing at the top of my lungs. I stopped at the red light and there were cars all around and I heard a whistle over all the noise.  I immediately turned and my daddy was sitting in the car next to me smiling and waving. He said how beautiful I looked (that never stops even at 43) and how he hoped I had a good first day at school. He then said that he loved me. The light turned green so I told him I loved him too and quickly rolled up my window and went on my way. 

As I drove away, God said something to me. Oh how I love it when he does that! I heard Him say to me, "You never fail to hear your daddy's whistle. Do you listen that closely for mine?"

So, over the last few weeks I have been thinking about that a lot. Do I listen carefully for the "whistle" of my heavenly Father? If I did, how did my marriage get in such a mess 7 years ago? Then I heard Him say to me, "Precious one, you stopped listening." That was a hard one to hear. I quit listening 7 years ago. He was "whistling" and using the Holy Spirit to warn me and nudge me and send red flags my way, but I wasn't listening. I ignored him so much that I stopped hearing Him. 

Praise God He loved me enough to chase after me. He came back for me. He broke me and showed me who I was without Him and I fell in love with Jesus. Now, I can hear my Heavenly Father "whistle" at me all the time. He uses His Word, pastor Chip, Pennye (my mentor), Rusty, worship music, and my Godly friends to "whistle" and get my attention on a daily basis.  I recognize it and I pray that I never quit listening again. 

As I thought back to the hundred's of times my dad whistled at me, I realized that my Heavenly Father does the same thing. He is there to "whistle" and keep us out of danger. I hear it when my flesh starts to win. He is there to "whistle" and tell us to finish strong. On days when I didn't know if our marriage would make it, He would tell me that I had to keep fighting. He is there to "whistle" and tell us that we are beautiful and that He loves us. I had to hear this one a lot. When you have done something so sinful that you think He could not possibly love you, this is a great "whistle" to hear! He is there to "whistle" to tell us when we are lost and that it is time to come home. 

Have you heard his "whistle" today? Or are you simply not listening?