Hi there. This is that Little Voice inside your head speaking. Yeah, I know. It’s been a while. But how are you? How’s life? How’s the fam? You still doing keto?

Listen, I know we haven’t talked in a long time, but technically, that’s not my fault. You probably don’t remember this, but you quit listening to your inner voice just as soon as you hit the fourth stage of puberty.

The moment you developed armpit hair, you became a lot more concerned with getting a driver’s license, French kissing, and eradicating zits.

So over time that voice inside you got quieter. Oh, sure, every now and then you’d hear me droning in the background like Charlie Brown’s teacher. But you never actually listened.

Although there were a few times…

Remember that rude waiter a few weeks ago? When the meal was over, you almost stiffed him with the tip. But then, you dug into your wallet and gave him a ridiculously generous gratuity.

Did you ever stop to wonder why you did this? Well, I’ll tell you why. Because the teeny, tiny voice reminded you that being generous was not just kind, it was right. That Little Voice was me.

There was that other time, when you gave a ride to two Mexican young women who didn’t speak English. Their car broke down in the Walmart parking lot, and they were crying. You helped them out because that faint voice would not shut up.

Also me.

And let’s not forget about the time you almost got into that fatal car wreck.

No, wait. You never knew about that one. You never did know how close you came to the end. Because the Little Voice told you to pull off the interstate immediately before the disaster happened. And you actually listened. In a few seconds there was a ten-car pile up on I-65, and four people were killed.

Still, most of the time you keep me turned off. Sometimes you sense me reminding you to use your turn signal, not to play on your phone too much, and not to cuss during third down situations. But most of the time you never even hear me talking.

The thing is, if you’d listen to me once in a while, you would discover that I know stuff. Big stuff. Important stuff. I am a very smart Little Voice. I don’t have time to run through my whole résumé, but I’ll hit the highlights.

For starters, I’m older than you. Way, WAY older. In fact, I’m ancient enough to remember when the Dead Sea was just getting sick. The Grand Canyon was still a teenager when I was celebrating my 2,000000000 kajillionth infinity.

Secondly, I love you. I’m part of you. I’m part of your soul. So in a way, you and I are like peanut butter and jelly. We go together. We are inseparable. Think of me as electricity that makes an appliance work.

Your body is like a GE washing machine, only with more adipose tissue. Without electricity, a washing machine is just a big metal box.

I am the amperage running through the circuit breaker, the plug, the electronics. I am the voltage that makes the agitator spin inside the drum. I am the most important part of the machine. I’m not asking for any credit here, I’m just telling you how it is.

In fact, that is why I am writing this letter. Because I’ve been watching you recently. I saw you crying this morning when your wife was in the hospital; I saw you weeping when hospice administered your mother’s final meds; I watched you crumble on your bathroom floor and bawl because the doctor gave you bad news; I saw you shut down when they told you your son committed suicide.

I was with you. I was right there. I was speaking to you, but you were too upset to hear me. Hey, that’s okay. Believe me, I get it. This is the darkest period you will ever go through.

I’m here to tell you that you’re going to make it through this mess.

The problem is, your brain is turning against you. Your brain keeps telling you this is the end, that your life is over. Your brain is telling you to quit. To stop trying.

Don’t trust your brain. Your brain knows nothing. Your brain is full of a plentiful substance commonly found in barnyards and hog pens.

I am telling you, without the slightest hue of doubt, you will survive this. You will be okay. One day, by and by, this will all be over, and you’ll understand it better. But for now, just know that this is not the end.

And here’s the thing: Deep inside yourself, you know I’m right. You don’t need a heavenly sign for proof of this. You don’t need anything to convince you. Because within the innermost, most profound layer of your soul, you just know. You know what I’m saying is true.

Because I am your Little Voice.

Or you can always call me by my other name.

71 comments

  1. Patti M Dew - March 17, 2022 6:53 am

    So far, this might just be my fav! Write on😊

    Reply
  2. Susan H Poole - March 17, 2022 8:26 am

    That Little Voice in your story today can also be called The Comforter, the Paraklete: “One who comes along side you.” The 3rd Person of the triune God. I call Him the Holy Spirit who guides & instructs us & leads us into all truth. The first 2 chapters of Acts in the Bible tells us all about this exciting Person. He is all through the Bible and most importantly, that “Little Voice” is always speaking!

    Reply
    • Sue - March 17, 2022 12:41 pm

      I agree with Susan. That Little Voice is the Comforter. I’m so glad that you listen to Him. God bless you.

      Reply
    • Sue Ellen Terrell - March 17, 2022 12:48 pm

      Absolutely correct. The Holy Spirit is always with us.

      Reply
    • PMiller - March 23, 2022 1:08 am

      Amen!

      Reply
  3. Carolyn Kelley - March 17, 2022 9:16 am

    Love this perfect timing to.

    Reply
    • Brenda - March 17, 2022 10:54 am

      Carolyn…absolutely correct! ♥️

      Reply
  4. Ann - March 17, 2022 9:21 am

    BEAUTIFUL !!

    Reply
  5. Ashley - March 17, 2022 9:49 am

    Wonderful!!

    Reply
  6. Jane - March 17, 2022 9:56 am

    Especially good one today! Love it! I am a new Sean of the South reader. Not sure what took me so long! I guess I was ignoring that Little Voice.

    Reply
  7. Bette - March 17, 2022 10:17 am

    Just what I needed to hear this morrning! Thank you Sean.

    Reply
  8. Connie - March 17, 2022 10:27 am

    Best writing EVER!! Thank you for sharing with us. 🥰🥰🥰

    Reply
  9. Debbie g - March 17, 2022 10:38 am

    Thank you Sean I needed your little voice today and every day love to you and Jamie

    Reply
  10. Donna George-Moskovitz - March 17, 2022 10:41 am

    Thank you, dear Sean. This has helped me at a perfect time. Your writings are so meaningful to me. God bless you and your family. I pray for you all daily.

    Reply
  11. cflowers - March 17, 2022 11:31 am

    You have no idea how much I needed this today…

    Reply
  12. Anne Arthur - March 17, 2022 11:33 am

    Such a beautiful post to remind us that we are loved and protected by Him! Thank you, Sean.

    Reply
  13. Kathleen Ball - March 17, 2022 11:35 am

    Thank you, Sean! Perfect timing! The Comfortor of the Bible is always with me!

    Reply
  14. Lana - March 17, 2022 11:38 am

    Thanks , you’re very good at this. Always enjoy your stories and this one is special.

    Reply
  15. Sonya Tuttle - March 17, 2022 11:47 am

    “Don’t listen to your brain”. How odd that this pops up. We are all double minded, which is what the Bible talks about. I have been having conflicting thoughts about something; which is really harmless. But it takes up time. And maybe I should put my time to a more productive purpose. I just have not decided. “IT” is the Internet.

    Reply
  16. Joy Jacobs - March 17, 2022 11:54 am

    Exactly what I needed this morning. ❤️

    Yesterday hubby got the always dreaded cancer diagnosis. Last week he had his nose removed because of a years long bacterial infection. They found cancer too, Even the doctor was surprised.

    Not sure about the small voice but the big one, “God’s voice” is there. ❤️

    Reply
    • Joey - March 17, 2022 12:22 pm

      Joy Jacobs – I will be praying for your husband and you. God bless you both.

      Reply
    • Jimmie Nell P. - March 17, 2022 4:07 pm

      Joy, I’ve never heard of this kind of cancer. I am so sorry. A lot to cope with now and the future. So many ways we have to trust His small voice and lean into His love and help to carry us through. I don’t know where you live, but I am in Mtgy, AL. I will pray for you. Jimmie Nell P.

      Reply
    • Suellen - March 17, 2022 6:05 pm

      Joy- Praying for your husband and for you. Lord have mercy.

      Reply
  17. Liberty Belle - March 17, 2022 11:54 am

    Sean, this is so beautiful and has perfect timing in my life! Thank you and I humbly thank your Little Voice! I will reconnect with mine. Blessings to you!

    Reply
  18. Candace - March 17, 2022 11:55 am

    Amen!

    Reply
  19. Kay Britton - March 17, 2022 11:58 am

    Yes! So very true. We are never alone when we have the Comforter!

    Reply
  20. Jim - March 17, 2022 12:18 pm

    Welcome to Birmingham Sean and Jamie – we moved here three years ago from Huntsville. The city does shrink if you drive enough. If you want to see a bunch of happy children, visit the McWane Science Center. We read your blurb every morning.

    Reply
  21. Brenda Petty - March 17, 2022 12:21 pm

    Sean, the Lord must have known that I needed to read your column this morning; our family is the in process of waiting for biopsy reviews to know the future of my dad.
    Thank you for listening to your inner voice and the beautiful writing!!! May God continue to bless you and your wife!!!

    Reply
  22. Linda Lewis - March 17, 2022 12:27 pm

    This is a lovely column. It struck me deeply. It is profound. I love reading what you have to say eac morning.

    Reply
  23. Joretta Parker - March 17, 2022 12:37 pm

    Thanks Sean, I needed this reminder this morning. We all do. Most of us take our creator for granted most of the time. My day will be brighter and I for one, will be listening.

    Reply
  24. Cynthia Russell - March 17, 2022 12:40 pm

    THANK YOU!

    Reply
  25. AlaRedClayGirl - March 17, 2022 12:44 pm

    It is always good to listen to that Little Voice, using our hearts to hear and understand what It is telling us. Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to do what that Voice is telling us to do, but It will never steer us in the wrong direction. Have a blessed day everyone!

    Reply
  26. Debbie Schmidt - March 17, 2022 12:48 pm

    This may be my favorite….so simple….so deep. It takes great intelligence and divine inspiration to say so much with so few words.

    Reply
  27. Denise Walker - March 17, 2022 12:50 pm

    very timely. thanks.

    Reply
  28. Shelton A. - March 17, 2022 12:52 pm

    Sometimes you make me laugh, some days you make me so sad. Today, you made me think and be thankful. Blessings and peace.

    Reply
  29. Rhonda - March 17, 2022 12:59 pm

    Brilliantly written!!

    Reply
  30. Barbara Brannon - March 17, 2022 1:22 pm

    Wow – just wow. . . .

    Reply
  31. Sean of the South: Hello | The Trussville Tribune - March 17, 2022 1:47 pm

    […] By Sean Dietrich, Sean of the South […]

    Reply
  32. Shirley Eldkes - March 17, 2022 1:50 pm

    Wonderful! Thank you.

    Reply
  33. pegdye - March 17, 2022 1:56 pm

    Thank you for this life saving reminder!

    Reply
  34. Gwen Dornbos - March 17, 2022 2:11 pm

    So thankful that you, Sean, listened and wrote these beautiful words today. My friend, whom I had been with for 6 days in ICU, was sent home yesterday for her last week of life. I agree, this is some of your best writing. Thank you. (maybe it’s the Alabama air. Welcome)

    Reply
  35. alisonbaird765 - March 17, 2022 2:31 pm

    Sean, I have been asking God for a sign that He was with me because I feel like everything is falling apart in the world right now. I believe with all my heart, you were that sign this morning. Thank you!

    Reply
  36. Gordon - March 17, 2022 2:35 pm

    Such a beautiful reminder that Someone is always listening/watching.

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  37. Rhonda - March 17, 2022 2:54 pm

    Amen. I often lie in bed in the morning and ask God to let me hear what he is saying

    Reply
  38. Patricia Gibson - March 17, 2022 2:58 pm

    Amen and soooo very true! When I ignore my little voice I always mess up❤️

    Reply
  39. LIN ARNOLD - March 17, 2022 3:13 pm

    I LOVE THIS ONE!!!

    Reply
  40. Steve Rafferty - March 17, 2022 3:17 pm

    Absolutely Beautiful Sean!

    Reply
  41. Belinda Bailey - March 17, 2022 5:05 pm

    Oh my Gosh. So good!

    Reply
  42. Jan - March 17, 2022 5:28 pm

    Love this! Much needed by so many … including me!

    Reply
  43. Dawn Ritz - March 17, 2022 5:36 pm

    Love this!!!

    Reply
  44. Millie Ericson - March 17, 2022 6:08 pm

    Such deep wisdom! Thank you for this today.

    Reply
  45. shirley c hill - March 17, 2022 7:01 pm

    WOW thank you I really needed this today what with all that is going on in this crazy world now I remember to listen to SSV – the only voice which gives me peace, joy, love and happier days. If only we could get so many of the really loud ones out there to listen to their inner voice how much better this world would be.

    Reply
  46. Linda Moon - March 17, 2022 7:06 pm

    “Hello In There”. I’m passing the late John Prine’s voice on to you. And mine, too, so “Hello, Sean”. I don’t always trust my brain, but I do trust my heart, soul, and mind. God, I often find comfort there. And I love the other One whose Name is above all others even more than my love for Prine and Dietrich.

    Reply
  47. Harriet White - March 17, 2022 7:24 pm

    This is one of your BEST stories yet. I love it

    Reply
  48. MAM - March 17, 2022 7:42 pm

    I agree with Shirley above, Please let the really loud voices listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to them. I’m sure they have completely cut Him out of their lives, much to their detriment. Thanks Sean for the always timely reminder that our brains are NOT all-knowing, and that we MUST listen to the Little Voice, AKA God, at all times! It has saved me more than once, when it nagged me enough that I listened!

    Reply
  49. Mande - March 17, 2022 7:58 pm

    You were just my “Little Voice”. Thank you. I needed that more than you’ll ever know.

    Reply
  50. meg widmer -March 17, 2022,4:23 EST - March 17, 2022 8:27 pm

    I will celebrate my 81st year on this planet. It has been a good life. God has blessed me with both a good family of origin and good marriage and children. Maybe most importantly, He delivered me into a family that taught us so much more than what school taught us…it was the daily subtle, but real skills, and demonstration of HOW to live this life with kindness, understanding and patience to all… meted out to us every day. I don’t know how the folks did it, but it was certainly demonstrated to us all our entire lives into our adulthood. I am not sure that I have repeated that ‘gift’ to the next generation, but I have tried. Though we never went to church together, there was what we learned to call it– learning the good life through the example set forth for us. I truly appreciated all the above comments made by your readers. Thank you for providing that forum for expression.

    Reply
  51. Larry Wall - March 17, 2022 9:22 pm

    Good! At the times that I have ignored that small voice within me it usually always resulted to my detriment. And my ignoring that voice has caused me much regret later. I finally during mid-life learned that the voice was there for the better. Our Protector is a merciful one and I am extremely thankful for that.

    Reply
  52. Susan - March 17, 2022 10:23 pm

    You have done it again…. Thank you little voice, for reminding me when I need it most… choked up here, but so glad you always know.❤️

    Reply
  53. Paul McCutchen - March 17, 2022 11:37 pm

    When I was younger my inner voice usually said “NO NOT AGAIN” but age calmed me down along with my inner voice.

    Reply
  54. Karen - March 18, 2022 2:05 am

    This is profound. I wish everyone knew that Little Voice and would listen.💖💖

    Reply
  55. Slimpicker - March 18, 2022 3:55 am

    Sean, that negative voice you may hear from time to time isn’t your brain, it is the devel, the father of all lies. He. Is an expert at sowing seeds of doubt. Don’t listen to him. Your Helper (little voice) sent from God Almighty has been with you from the beginning. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
  56. Mary Ann B - March 18, 2022 12:21 pm

    Thank you, Sean. The voices of war and hatred are so loud these days that we need constant reminders that those voices will pass away and that the Little Voice will remain and rule forever.

    Reply
  57. BJean - March 19, 2022 4:41 pm

    Very timely word I’m sure. And it will be over and over again. Thanks, Sean, for listening to that tiny voice that told you to write this!

    Reply
  58. Mary Nowling - March 21, 2022 2:18 am

    Sean. I read aloud your stories to my husband each night. He is battling cancer. This was a perfect message today. I’m hoping he listens to his inner voice because he probably tired of my “outer”voice! Just kidding but the same message I’ve been relating to him. God Bless

    Reply
  59. Lori Brooks Lear - March 21, 2022 1:56 pm

    I returned from being out of town for 9 days yesterday. Going through the numerous emails that had accumulated during my absence (the beach will do that to ya), I read this. I cannot tell you the amount of tears I shed because it spoke so dearly to my heart. I lost my son in November 2021. Thank you, Sean. You have no idea how much this one means to me. ♥

    Reply
  60. Connie Cagle - March 21, 2022 5:57 pm

    This one is special!!

    Reply
  61. Martha - March 21, 2022 6:48 pm

    I love this so much! Just may be my favorite! Very timely! Thanks!

    Reply
  62. Peggy Mitchell - March 22, 2022 1:09 pm

    Along with these other people, your wife, your family and the person from which this voice comes ,I love you, Sean of the South.

    Reply
  63. CHARALEEN WRIGHT - March 27, 2022 11:09 pm

    Reply
  64. Kathy Cross - March 28, 2022 1:57 pm

    Wonderful lesson that we all tend to forget and need reminders about…thank you

    Reply

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