Telephone Calls That Edify vs. Telephone Calls That Disturb

The telephone has been a faithful companion in my life. From the days of rotary dials to the sleek cell phones of today, it has carried voices across miles, bridging distance with presence. Yet not all conversations are created equal.

In this article, I will address two types of telephone calls that I receive daily. Some calls feel like noise—interruptions that drain rather than bless, the complaints, the clatter without blessings. Others, however, are music to my soul, filling me with joy, peace, and connection.

Least Favorite Telephone Calls: The Noise

My least favorite telephone calls are those that do not edify. In fact, they disturb. Those are the calls I can do without. Those calls are the ones that make me sigh when I see the caller ID because I know they will only result in noise instead of music to my ears.

• Sales or telemarketing calls: These calls often come at the most inconvenient times. The caller is reading from a script, trying to sell me something I do not need. There is no real relationship, no blessing, just noise. Often I cannot understand what the caller is saying in a foreign dialect.
• Wrong numbers or misdials: A stranger’s voice asking for someone I do not know is harmless, but it leaves me feeling disconnected. The call begins and ends without meaning. One call can be forgiven, but often the caller calls back several more times.
• Complaint: Sometimes people call only to unload their frustrations. While I understand the need to vent, these conversations can feel heavy, leaving me drained rather than uplifted. I don't favor those "Misery loves company calls" where the caller wants me to join them in their misery.
• Gossip or idle chatter: That kind of talk doesn’t edify or lift me up. Words without purpose or edification are like static on the line. Gossip does not build up; it tears down. Such calls remind me of the importance of guarding my ears and heart.
• Overly long, unfocused calls with no direction. The caller deliberately tries to keep me on the phone with chatter about things that don't matter.
• Automated robocalls are time wasters when the caller tries unsuccessfully to get me to buy something. These are perhaps the worst of all. They are the epitome of noise.

The above conversations remind me that not every ring of my phone is a blessing. Some are interruptions, distractions, or burdens. Yet even in naming them, I recognize their role. They make me appreciate the music that comes from my favorite telephone calls all the more.

Favorite Telephone Calls: The Music

I have some favorite calls that I look forward to getting. Those calls brighten my day because they bring joy, good news, and a sense of presence and connection. They are the calls that matter. They are calls that move from the “noise” of unwanted calls to the “music” of cherished ones.

The calls are not interruptions but invitations. They remind me that goodness can travel across wires, that companionship can be carried in a voice, that blessings can be spoken and heard.

Here are the calls I treasure, the ones that remind me why the telephone is such a gift.

• Family news: Hearing the voices of my children and grandchildren is pure joy. Even a short call fills me with love and gratitude.
• Faith-sharing calls: When a friend calls for us to pray together, share scriptures, or encourage each other, the line becomes holy ground. Those conversations are not just words. They are blessings spoken, received, and embraced.
• Storytelling calls: I love calls where memories are shared—childhood stories, family traditions, or humorous moments. Those conversations are uplifting for both parties on the line. They often become seeds for my writing, transforming into inspirational devotionals.
• Celebration calls: Birthdays, anniversaries, good news, or answered prayers are music that makes my heart dance. They remind me that joy multiplies when shared.
• Companionship calls: Sometimes the best calls are simple: a friend checking in, a laugh shared, a moment of peace. Those conversations remind me that presence can travel across wires, that companionship can be carried in a voice.

Conclusion: From Noise to Music

The contrast between these two lists is striking. The noise reminds me of life’s interruptions, the static that distracts.

But the music reminds me of life’s blessings, the harmony of voices that matter.

It is almost like tuning a radio. At first, there is static—unwanted sounds that make me want to turn the dial. But then, suddenly, the music comes through. Clear, beautiful, and uplifting. That is how I experience telephone conversations.

As I conclude, I realize that the telephone is more than a device. It is a vessel of presence. Some calls I could do without, but others I would never trade. They carry laughter, love, and connection. They remind me that even across distance, we can be heard, felt, and blessed.

May every cherished call remind me that presence is a gift, companionship is a blessing, and peace is the melody that endures.

So I bless the calls that bring music to my soul. May they continue to ring with joy. And may I always have ears to hear the difference between the noise that interrupts and the music that blesses.