I saw those words on a plaque in the Hallmark store. But my cubicle felt anything BUT sweet. In fact, I was in cubicle hell.

For several months, I had a quiet, comfortable workspace with only a few people around. No one disturbed me. It felt peaceful and private. Then suddenly my coworkers and I were relocated to the middle of a very vibrant and busy call center.

You’ll just have to adjust.

Our pleas to move to a quieter locale fell on deaf ears. We’re sorry, we were told. There’s no space to relocate you. You’ll just have to adjust.

I thought, Excuse me; I’m a WRITER for a correspondence department. I need space, quiet and privacy! My customers need thoughtful answers to their questions. How can I get anything accomplished when I can’t even hear myself THINK?

Since the early 1990s, businesses and corporations have transformed their working environments from private offices to large rooms without walls. Proponents of the open-office concept claim that this office environment leads to greater teamwork and more communication among workers.

But according to TIME magazine’s article, “My Kingdom for a Door,” (October 23, 2000) in many cases it has done the opposite. Some workers have experienced decreased productivity and increased stress. An increasing chorus of complaints by employees indicates increased friction between workers, a lack of privacy, and an inability to concentrate due to disturbances by others’ conversations. I wasn’t alone in my grumbling.

The conversations around me were so loud.

I tried to shut out the noise by playing music and wearing headphones. But the conversations around me were so loud I could hardly hear the music. On top of this, I was coming home with headaches because of the noise.

A friend I complained to about the situation was sympathetic. But she also assured me that I could find my peace right where I was. I could get to the point where I don’t even hear the noise mentally. I did not need to be disturbed.

I was frustrated by her answer. It sounded like she was saying I would get used to it.

So, more complaining. How can I get to the point where the noise around me will no longer disturb me? Headphones, music and even “toughing it out” just haven’t worked. Can’t we just move?

I wanted to find some peace from my frustration.

The alternatives I’d already tried weren’t working. And I wanted to find some peace from my frustration.

At home, after a particularly challenging and jarring day of work, I looked for some help in two books that I read regularly—the Bible and Science and Health. They always give me ideas when I’m in a pinch.

One idea from the Bible that intrigued me was this: “Come thou and all thy house into the ark.”

I recognized this verse as part of the Noah story. He’d been instructed by God to build an ark to protect himself, his family and two of each kind of animal, from a flood that would destroy the earth. God instructed them to go onto the ark to stay safe.

The ark was airtight. The chaos and turmoil of the storm didn’t touch them.

I pictured the scene. With all those animals and people, there must not have been one spare corner where man or beast could retreat for some privacy and quiet. And yet, the chaos and turmoil were outside with the storm, while those inside the ark were safe and at peace—even if it was noisy. The ark was airtight. The chaos and turmoil of the storm didn’t touch them.

As I was thinking about the safety and peace inside this ark, I heard a gentle thought which felt like God’s message to me: “I am just as able today as I was then to bring you into My ark. Come into My home. It’s peaceful, quiet, and calm. My peace and harmony are with you, right in the midst of all the noise and activity. You and all your coworkers can share the quietness that My home offers. This can be your home, too.”

God’s ark has plenty of room for everyone.

I felt my thought shift from frustration to relief. God is everywhere! I thought. I am already in the peaceful atmosphere of His home. I am surrounded by His loving presence, which shuts out the storm of noise and tumult. I can work in quietness and peace right in the middle of this busy call center and see my coworkers enveloped in this peaceful atmosphere as well. God’s ark has plenty of room for everyone.

Back at work, the number of calls and the noise level did not diminish, but I felt much more peaceful. Over the next few weeks, the noise disturbed me less and less, until I actually began to have days when I wouldn’t notice the noise at all. I was no longer coming home with headaches. And, although our group was not moved, some of our call center staff was, which helped relieve the crowding for both our groups.

My cubicle is feeling sweeter now. There are still times when I do notice the noise, but I’m no longer as disturbed by it. And I’m grateful for the gentle reminder that I can find my spiritual peace and can live and work in “cubicle heaven”—God’s ark—no matter where I am.