The last Zoom call kept getting interrupted. First by cats. 

“I’m house sitting and the cats are making a racket outside the door. Can you hear them?” “No.”

Then by “The Roomba just turned on. Hold on a sec.” “No prob.”

His noise-cancelling mic did a great job. I never heard the cats. Or their screech when the Roomba attacked them.

Very disappointing.

My Zoom colleague fared not so well. He could not not hear the commotion in the other room. Too distracting.

What noises distract you? In the course of your day what sounds or voices keep you from living? From being in the moment?

Some noises truly exist. Phone calls. Doctor calls. Calls with upset clients. Calls with creditors demanding payment.

Other noises exist only in our heads. 

Past experiences projected into the future energized by worry. Exhausting stories stuck on repeat that eat away at confidence and courage. 

Off-screen Roombas that keep us from resting and really being with others.

One option is to change geographies. My friends routinely comment how quiet it is where I live. Rural country excels in that ambience. Rocks and cactus tend to the quiet side.

Perhaps you need rural time each day. Probably in the beginning before sounds erupt. Or another slot you self-seclude in a sound-proof setting. 

Perhaps you need Divine white-noise. A noise that keeps out cat calls. That drowns the disturbances wanting space in your head.

Daily time in the Bible fills that perfectly. 

Dedicated time to let the clarity of God’s desire for you cancel out your worries and fears.

Dedicated time to let the shouts of God’s love for you fill you with courage and confidence.

Daily time where God’s Spirit redirects your wandering thoughts onto Jesus’ sacrifice and victory.

A sacrifice that removes guilt’s voice. A victory that removes worry’s knocking.

A God who is with you in every moment. Especially the noisy ones.

Life is full of noises. Choose the right ones.