A Softer, Gentler Voice/Reflections on the Parable of the Good Samaritan

The sun peeked out above the eastern hills as peasants mingled.

The wares in vendor's carts on busy streets softly jingled.

Jesus stood among the people speaking words of grace,

When suddenly a louder, prouder voice shook the place.

------from The Good Samaritan by Holli Fry

The brief stanza above, from my book The Good Samaritan, describes the moment just before Jesus told, for the very first time, the now so familiar "Parable of the Good Samaritan," found in Luke 10:25-37.

Several months ago, as I was reading this book to one of my granddaughters, she pointed at the sound-wave lines emanating out from one tiny figure on the page and said, "Mimi, look! There's the louder, prouder voice!"

The scene on this page is a busy but quiet city waking up to the light of dawn as people begin their daily routine of setting up to sell their wares and as families step out to buy their daily bread. Yet, there is one person creating a very loud noise, interrupting the gentle peacefulness of the early morning.

A Louder, Prouder Voice

As we continue to read in Luke Chapter 10, we find out that this noisy person is an "expert of the law," and his loud, proud voice is asking a question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Taken at face value, this is actually a very good question. However, Jesus knows the man's heart and attitude. I believe the man is challenging Jesus and not sincerely seeking an answer. In fact, it is possible he assumes he already has this inheritance guaranteed and is "rubbing it in" to all these ignorant peasants who do not. After all, he knows the law and has obeyed it since his youth.

So Jesus proceeds to narrate the profound parable that you and I have heard many times: "The Parable of the Good Samaritan." The Bible does not tell us whether or not the man completely changed the direction of his life that day, but we can surmise that he did walk away more humbly after hearing this touching story, and his voice was surely not as loud.

We all need to be encouraged to soften our voices and not be so loud and proud. It is only when we soften our own voices that we can hear the gentle voice of God.

Over the years, I have become more and more convinced that children—especially—need stories that invite them to slow down, listen, and wonder--stories that don’t shout at them or rush them but gently lead them into the heart of the Gospel.

This conviction is what first led me to begin writing stories for children based on the Word of God. In a world filled with noise, hurry, and constant distraction, I wanted to create books that invite children to pause and quietly consider the things that matter most.

The stories in my Rhyming WORD Series were written with the hope that they would do more than simply entertain. My prayer is that they will help children become familiar with the gentle voice of Christ—the voice that speaks truth without pride, wisdom without harshness, and love without condition.

Perhaps that is one reason the Parable of the Good Samaritan continues to touch hearts after so many centuries. Within the story is a simple but life-changing reminder: true godliness is not found in sounding important or appearing righteous before others. It is found in humility, mercy, and love.

I think my granddaughter was right to notice the “louder, prouder voice” in the illustration. Children often see things adults overlook. And maybe all of us, from time to time, need to ask ourselves whether our own voices have become too loud-- or proud-- to hear the gentle voice of God.

Until next time, blessings on you and yours.

The Rhyming WORD Series by Holli Fry

(Click on the picture above to begin collecting these titles, starting with: The Good Samaritan by Holli Fry. Or visit my web site to see all the titles: www.hollifrybooks.com.)