As a kid I noticed someone stick two fingers in their mouth, blow, and out came the loudest whistle I ever heard. I immediately knew I had to gain that skill! For months I tried and tried while the only accomplishment was a lot of slobber all over myself. 

One day while goofing around and continuing to practice my whistle attempt, the slightest screech emerged. Continuing to practice, finally that same loud whistle emerged. 

I had no idea how handy that whistle would become in my future. When at the ocean my three small children knew it was either lunch time or time to depart when they heard the whistle. At home while my children were playing in the woods beside our home, that whistle would beckon them to return. At sporting events my cheer was the whistle, and they knew their dad was watching them.

Today that whistle still comes in handy. My grandson recently told me, “Papaw, I knew you were watching me when I heard your whistle.” Recently, while another grandson was playing baseball, his teammates kept asking me to whistle for them. It’s a noticeable cheer, an affirmation, and a distinct response. Who knew that tenacious effort would one day serve my family well. 

While reading in the book of Isaiah, I came across something that surprised me. Isaiah declared that God whistles. He wrote, “He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily.” (Isaiah 5:26) He, God, whistles for you and I to come swiftly. 

Can you hear your Father’s whistle?