As you know, traveling through airports is no fun. It’s a hassle on a good day and frustrating on others. Packing, parking, waiting on shuttles, going through security, more waiting, getting to your gate, more waiting, boarding, finding your seat, watching others find their seats, struggling to place their luggage in the overhead bin and finally the grand safety speech!
On this particular trip, my flight had a layover in Chicago at O’Hare airport. In case you didn’t know, a total of 77,296 flights took off or landed Chicago O’Hare International Airport in June 2025. Suffice it to say, it’s a busy airport with throngs of fellow travelers looking for their gate, checking the status of their next flight, and if they are fortunate, they have a few minutes to grab a bite to eat.
As I was standing in line for a sweet treat before the next leg of my journey, I heard a familiar refrain. It was barely audible over the throng of people moving in all directions, but it was there. On a piano, one note at a time, I heard:
”Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so…”
I looked around to see if others heard it too, but no one seemed to be paying attention. As I listened, the melody went from one note at a time, to a more robust rendition with chords and piano runs and yet, still, no one noticed.
Eventually, I spotted the man playing the piano and made my way to him through the crowd to thank him for his spontaneous performance. After a few minutes of small talk, we went our separate ways.
As I walked away, I had a couple of thoughts about the interaction:
I was first reminded of the simplicity of the gospel that so many know about, but few take the time to really know Him or listen to His voice. The most important message that we can ever know, or experience is the reality of Jesus and His love for us. The throngs of people passing by were either too busy or consumed with other more important matters.
Secondly, my own heart was pierced as I thought about how many times that I have been that traveler who is too busy to stop, listen, and hear His voice. In my mind, I have good reasons for not stopping to listen, but it is often to my own un-doing and harm.
The incident reminded me of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke, chapter 10. Martha was distracted by much serving, while her sister, Mary sat at His feet.
I wish that I was more like Mary as Jesus pointed out that she had chosen something wonderful that would not be taken away!
So, if you are like me, I hope and pray that the next time I am burdened by schedule, activity, or even serving that I will stop long enough to listen for the clear refrain of “Jesus loves me this I know” …because it is true.
Dick Whitworth
Director of Operations, STAR 93.3 | Listen Now
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Thanks, Dick. That’s a perfect example of being willing to “live in the moment” and being able to hear God’s still small voice speaking to us…
Thanks, Darrell. I appreciate you and the work that you and your family do for Jesus.
Thanks also for your support of Star 93.3
Thank you for sharing your story…I cried this morning, asking God to help me.
He did, I will never forget!
I 💜 listen to 93.3 each day…only radio chanel I will listen to…either home or car !
Patti –
Thanks for sharing your story! As you know, He is good. All the time He is good and forever faithful.
Dick Whitworth’