One evening, when I was in my early twenties, I was having dinner with my grandma, and I was curious about her life as a mother.

I asked her how she survived as a mom with seven children and a handful of stepchildren. Being the eldest of five children, I had times I wished I was an only child. She told me that she put the “fear of God” in those kids when they were old enough to walk, and they never forgot it.

My dad, and his many siblings did grow up to be respectful and hardworking people; however, knowing my dad, his brothers and sisters, my grandma had her hands full. If her secret wasn’t how she quietly commanded attention, and made her point without raising her voice or her hand, I didn’t know what it could be. She was a great woman and I miss her dearly.

I ended up watching a reality show over the weekend, which is something I do not do intentionally. As I went to change the channel, a group of people were arguing about something or other, and soon it was a shouting match, with nobody hearing what the other was saying. It was pointless, so I changed the channel and settled in to watch one of the Star Wars movies.

I began to think about how people, wanting to be heard, or have their point heard, will raise their voice and after a bit, there is chaos and shouting and nobody can be heard. During Lent, I have been digging deeper into my faith and trying to get rid of things in my life that cause chaos or negativity.

When Jesus began his ministry, he never entered a town or city with pomp and circumstance; instead, he walked with a few of his disciples, staying in quiet places with people of low means rather than taking audience with the people who had social clout. Another point about Jesus was that he was quiet and contemplative. He was ready and happy to talk about God and gave a great story with meaning and examples of how to live a life worthy of heaven.

Quiet and contemplative? Does this mean we shouldn’t compete by raising our voices, but rather pray with a soft voice and heart when we want Jesus to hear us?

As it says in Matthew 6:6 – “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (NIV)

Jesus wants to hear us and so does God, but not by shouting over other voices in a show of public faith, but with a quiet and contemplative heart yearning for connection as a child and father, and of course, He can hear us now if we come to him, as the scripture in Matthew 6:6 says.