Are You Missing God's Gentle Voice? (Hope, Strength, and the Dream) / Promise Hill S1 Ep 10

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Welcome back to Promise Hill.

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This is Kimberlee Herman,

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your host.

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Through stories and practical tools,

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I help people find hope,

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healing,

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and guidance to a deeper relationship with God.

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And in my professional life,

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I'm a Christian counselor with over 22 years of counseling experience.

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I'm so glad that you're here today.

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If you're new,

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welcome.

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And just so you know,

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this is an unfolding story,

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so you can take a listen.

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But if you're curious,

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you can start with chapter one to get caught up.

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But I'm really curious to learn more about you.

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Would you send me a quick email to let me know where you are listening from and any questions you might have?

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I'll be adding a segment in the next season where a new character will be answering soul care questions.

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I will answer your email,

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but I would love to use some real questions by you in the episodes.

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You can reach me by the link below.

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Do you like gifts like I do?

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Well,

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I made one for you.

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For those that would like a handy tool for when you are overwhelmed,

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it's called P.A.W.S.,

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a sacred reset.

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The link is listed below.

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I'd love to give it to you.

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Now in Chapter 9,

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we learned new information about Mira and a bit about her biological father,

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as well as watching Mira set a boundary,

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because she was not ready to learn more truth.

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Today in Chapter 10,

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we cover a lot of ground as Mira interacts with several characters,

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each one bringing a gift to her life.

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Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with someone that could use some support.

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Now,

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let's listen in.

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Mira sat,

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staring at Grandma Eden.

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Her heart felt like it stopped when Eden responded to hearing that her dad had been living in Promise Hill all those years ago,

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and that Mira may have as well.

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Eden,

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what are you thinking?

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You look worried all of a sudden.

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Do you know something?

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I'm not sure,

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dear.

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I might.

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Give me a week to poke around and talk to a few people.

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I'm going out of town for a few days next week.

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but I'll gather information and share it with you if it relates to you.

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It may not.

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Can you tell me anything?

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I'm afraid not.

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Not right this moment,

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but I hope too soon.

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I need to head out.

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I'll talk to you about this after I return to town next week.

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After Eden left,

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Mira put everything related to Eleanor back into the envelope and put it on her bookshelf.

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I'm so glad Eden told me my feelings about waiting to meet the person who is texting me are valid.

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And I could wait.

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I'm in charge of when I want to learn more.

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There's no rush.

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That feels good to me.

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As Mira sat down to ponder what Eden had told her,

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a knock at the door startled her.

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Mira,

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it's Charity.

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Are you home?

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Oh,

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I'm coming,

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Charity.

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Mira ran to open the door to see Charity slightly flushed and out of breath.

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I'm so sorry to interrupt.

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I tried calling,

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but you didn't answer.

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Could you come to the bakery with me right now?

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Sure.

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Is everything okay?

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Yeah,

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but I need your help to work the bakery for me for about an hour.

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None of my other employees can come in.

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Pastor Enoch is stopping by in an hour,

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and I need to speak with him privately.

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It's important.

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I'll show you everything you need to know.

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Mira followed her down the cobbled lane toward the bakery,

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which was just a few blocks away.

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Charity

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unlocked the door.

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Inside,

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the scent of cinnamon and fresh cookies hung thick in the air.

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Charity turned with urgency in her eyes.

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Just as Mira was mastering the espresso machine,

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the bell above the door jingled.

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A tall,

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middle-aged man with salty short hair and a calm presence stepped inside.

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Charity looked up from the register and smiled gently.

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Pastor Enoch,

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I'm so glad you're here.

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Mira,

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this is Pastor Enoch,

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and this is my friend Mira.

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Pastor Enoch gave Mira a big,

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welcoming smile.

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Welcome to our little town of Promise Hill,

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Mira.

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I was too

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I told you just moved here a few months ago.

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Nice to meet you,

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Pastor.

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Yes,

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I did.

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You have a beautiful town.

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Mira felt a sense of home and something safe with the pastor.

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She stepped aside as Charity guided him to a table in the corner.

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The two sat down.

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their voices low,

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their expressions shifting in waves of emotion,

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sadness,

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relief,

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and a flicker of hope that shimmered at the corners of Charity's eyes.

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Hey,

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I know you

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You're the lady from the park

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Mira looked down to see hope.

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Meadowlark at the counter and smiled.

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The young girl who encouraged Mira to seek Grandma Eden.

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Hi there,

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Hope.

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What a nice surprise.

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What can I get you today?

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A warm chocolate mint cookie,

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please.

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Mira pulled out the warm,

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soft cookie and handed it over.

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On the house.

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It's the least I can do for a very helpful young lady.

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Thanks.

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What's your name?

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I'm Mira.

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Thanks again for introducing me to Grandma

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Emma Eden last month.

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You're welcome,

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Mira.

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I have a gift for you.

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She handed Mira a fresh-picked dandelion.

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Don't forget to smell the flowers.

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See you later,

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alligator.

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Oh,

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thanks,

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Hope.

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Just what I needed.

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Hope took the cookie and ran out the door.

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Customers filtered in steadily.

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Mira stayed busy,

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wiping counters and serving lemon scones and the best-smelling cookies around.

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Every now and then,

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she glanced at Charity and Pastor Enoch.

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Something in Charity's posture suggested both the weight of something released and the strength of something surrendered.

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When the conversation ended,

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Pastor Enoch...

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Enoch walked to the counter.

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It's nice to meet you,

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Mira.

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You're always welcome to visit us at church,

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if you like.

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I'm not much of a church person.

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Never been in one.

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But thank you.

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I understand,

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dear.

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Our doors are always open if you're curious.

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No pressure.

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Charity returned to the counter with a hug as the pastor left.

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You were amazing,

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Mira.

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Thank you.

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Mira smiled with a new sense of purpose.

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It was kind of fun.

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Anytime you need help while I'm looking for another job,

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I'm your gal.

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Actually,

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would you be willing to work 6 to 2 on Saturday?

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I need to help the church with something.

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It's very important.

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My other employees who fill in can't come in until 2.

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Of course.

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I'd love to help.

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By the way,

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remind me of what work you're looking for.

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Something in marketing.

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Do you know how to help small businesses grow?

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That's my specialty.

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Hmm,

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I'll keep my eyes out.

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It was late afternoon as she wandered through town after working at the bakery.

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Mira ducked into the little bookstore,

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The Lantern,

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tucked between the bakery and the Blooming on the Hill gift shop.

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A colourful flyer on the front table caught her attention.

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Kids of all ages are invited to listen to Grandma Eden.

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Next Saturday at 11,

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come listen to her newest children's book.

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Mira blinked with surprise.

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Grandma Eden wrote children's books?

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Of course she did.

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Grandma Eden has wisdom for all ages.

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She walked deeper into the shop,

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letting her fingers brush spines and paperbacks.

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Then she spotted him,

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Gideon Thorne.

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The rugged blacksmith,

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usually cloaked in soot and firelight,

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was sitting on a wooden chair in the back,

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reading.

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A book balanced gently in his rough hands.

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She tried to turn away,

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not wanting to disturb him,

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but it was too late.

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He looked up.

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Their eyes met.

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He smiled,

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subtle but genuine,

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and waved her over.

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With some hesitation,

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she walked toward him.

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Hello there.

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I didn't peg you for a bookworm.

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Don't tell the anvil.

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It might get jealous.

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You know,

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strength isn't always loud.

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Sometimes it's sitting still when your heart wants to run.

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Sometimes it's letting someone else see the parts you usually hide.

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Mira blinked,

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taken aback.

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This was something Grandma Eden had told her.

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There was something in his voice,

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gravelly but kind,

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that struck her deeper than she expected.

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That's pretty profound for a Saturday.

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Gideon smiled.

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I felt you needed to hear it.

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He was correct.

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Mira did need to hear it.

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She was used to shutting down when things got hard.

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After talking to Gideon,

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Mira walked home.

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She sat down with her Mind Your Curls mug filled with hot jasmine green tea that Grandma Eden had given her and reflected on her day.

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Her encounter with Hope Meadowlark brought a smile to her soul.

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Then there's Gideon,

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gruff on the outside and full of wisdom on the inside.

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Who would have guessed he likes to hang out in bookstores?

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What an interesting place Promise Hill is.

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A girl who hands out dandelions.

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A blacksmith who reads books.

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A baker who somehow always knows exactly what people need.

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And a grandmother who seemed to know more than she was saying.

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As the evening settled over the town,

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Mira climbed into bed,

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exhausted from the day.

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It wasn't long before sleep found her.

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At first,

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the dream felt ordinary.

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She stood alone in a golden wheat field beneath a sky painted in twilight colours.

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Then she heard it.

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A distant voice.

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As if someone were telling a story from far away.

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She turned toward the sound.

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At the edge of the field stood an old wooden stage,

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illuminated by lantern light.

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A crowd had gathered,

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listening to a storyteller whose face she couldn't quite see.

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His words drifted across the wind.

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The things we lose are not always gone.

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The storyteller slowly raised one hand and pointed towards someone standing behind her.

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Mirror spun around.

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A woman stood several yards away.

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Her dark hair moved gently in the breeze.

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In her hands was a Bible.

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She smiled and held it out.

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The storyteller said,

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The truth always arrives as a story first.

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Suddenly,

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wind chimes rang.

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Mira jolted awake.

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The room was dark.

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Her heart hammered against her ribs,

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out of excitement,

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not fear.

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The dream lingered like a fog she couldn't shake.

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Mira repeated what she heard in the dream.

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The truth always arrives as a story first.

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Then she heard it,

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not in the dream.

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In her room,

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a voice,

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soft,

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barely above a whisper.

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Saturday.

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Mira bolted upright.

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Silence.

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Then,

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the faint sound of wind chimes outside her window.

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She looked at the clock.

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3.17 a.m.

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Her pulse raced.

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Saturday.

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What's supposed to happen on Saturday?

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Sometimes,

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life reveals a piece of itself in a dream,

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or in a flower handed to you by a child,

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or a kindness you didn't know you needed.

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And sometimes,

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when you're settling into a new chapter,

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God sends items your way for the journey.

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Take it away,

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Kimberlee

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One of the things you'll discover about Promise Hill is that God rarely shouts through the story.

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More often,

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he whispers through a child with a dandelion,

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a conversation in a bakery,

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a sentence from a blacksmith,

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or a dream in the middle of the night.

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Mira doesn't see the whole picture yet,

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but little by little,

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God is preparing her heart,

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and I have a feeling he may be doing the same for you.

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Let's look at a few reflections from today's chapter.

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Reflection number one.

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God often speaks through ordinary moments.

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Nothing dramatic happened at the bakery.

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A child handed Mira a flower,

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a bakery asked for help,

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a pastor offered an invitation,

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and a blacksmith shared a few simple words.

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Yet each encounter quietly nudged her heart in the direction God was leading.

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We often expect God to speak through burning bushes and thunder.

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It might be easier if he did that,

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right?

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More often,

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he whispers through conversations,

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unexpected kindness,

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scripture,

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and the people he places along our path.

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Hear it and hold it.

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1 Kings 19 verse 12.

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After the earthquake came a fire,

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but the Lord was not in the fire.

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And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

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Don't overlook the ordinary.

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God's whispers often arrive wrapped in everyday moments.

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Reflection number two.

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You're allowed to have boundaries.

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When Mira realized she could wait to meet the mysterious texter,

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something inside her relaxed.

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She didn't have to force the next chapter.

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She could choose the pace.

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Many of us believe healing means pushing harder,

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digging deeper,

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or finding answers as quickly as possible.

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But God rarely rushes transformation.

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Sometimes saying,

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I'm not ready yet,

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is actually a sign of wisdom.

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Hear it and hold it.

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Ecclesiastes 3 verse 1.

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There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.

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Creating personal boundaries is important.

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Mira let it be known she is not ready yet.

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that she needs to slow down her pace.

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Maybe that's a takeaway for you.

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Other people may try to rush you in things,

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but if you're not ready,

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you don't have to pretend you are.

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Just remember,

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not everyone will agree with your decisions.

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It doesn't mean you're wrong.

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It means that you're honoring what you're capable of.

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This is called your window of tolerance.

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Go at your own pace.

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And I'm going to put a link down here.

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A boundaries book,

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if you're interested in learning more about boundaries.

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Reflection number three,

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strength isn't always what the world says it is.

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Gideon's words challenged Mira.

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Strength isn't always loud.

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Sometimes it's sitting still when your heart wants to run.

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Did you like my impersonation of Gideon?

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Anyway,

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the world often defines strength as independence,

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confidence,

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or having all the answers.

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00:15:38.245 --> 00:15:40.467
God's definition might look a little different.

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00:15:41.127 --> 00:15:45.270
Sometimes courage looks like staying present in difficult conversations.

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00:15:45.990 --> 00:15:47.931
Sometimes it looks like asking for help.

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00:15:48.572 --> 00:15:52.054
And sometimes bravery is simply refusing to run away.

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00:15:52.694 --> 00:15:54.415
And in all of these situations,

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we can do this because God is our strength.

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Hear it and hold it.

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00:15:59.739 --> 00:16:01.620
Second Corinthians 12 verse 9.

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00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.741
My grace is sufficient for you,

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for my power is made perfect in weakness.

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God's strength often shines brightest where we feel weakest.

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Do you know this feeling or wanting to run but you choose to face whatever it was instead?

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That is strength even when you are feeling scared.

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00:16:22.321 --> 00:16:24.863
Reflection is where insight begins,

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00:16:24.923 --> 00:16:26.825
but action is where change happens.

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00:16:27.425 --> 00:16:30.108
Mira's story isn't just meant to inspire us,

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it's meant to invite us to take our own next step.

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Here's one simple way you can put today's reflections into practice this week.

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Look for one ordinary holy moment each day this week.

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It might be an encouraging conversation,

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00:16:45.808 --> 00:16:47.529
a verse that catches your attention,

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00:16:48.290 --> 00:16:49.570
unexpected kindness,

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00:16:49.731 --> 00:16:50.911
a beautiful sunset,

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00:16:51.352 --> 00:16:52.493
a child's comment,

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00:16:52.593 --> 00:16:54.394
or a quiet nudge during prayer.

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00:16:55.215 --> 00:16:55.815
Write it down.

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By the end of the week,

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00:16:57.316 --> 00:17:00.879
you may discover that God has been speaking more than you realized.

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00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.580
Allow me to pray for you,

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00:17:03.581 --> 00:17:04.120
my friend.

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00:17:05.321 --> 00:17:05.602
Father,

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00:17:05.622 --> 00:17:08.284
I lift up this listener who is quietly reaching for you,

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00:17:08.564 --> 00:17:09.304
feeling lost,

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00:17:09.364 --> 00:17:11.046
tumbling from stress or hardship.

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00:17:11.446 --> 00:17:12.787
They wonder where you are.

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00:17:13.608 --> 00:17:13.868
Father,

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00:17:13.968 --> 00:17:15.829
I know you meet us where we are.

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00:17:16.290 --> 00:17:18.411
So I ask for a blessing for this person,

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00:17:18.832 --> 00:17:24.296
to see what you are showing them and to hear what you're whispering to them through the ordinary moments of each day.

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00:17:25.357 --> 00:17:27.819
You bring treasures in the spaces between words.

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00:17:28.395 --> 00:17:33.397
Allow the heart of this listener to connect with you in deeper ways to receive these treasures.

443
00:17:34.317 --> 00:17:37.379
I call this listener's spirit to do the work you have set it to do,

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00:17:37.999 --> 00:17:41.140
to hear you and bring the revelation and wisdom to their souls,

445
00:17:41.520 --> 00:17:43.441
to hide your word in their hearts,

446
00:17:43.461 --> 00:17:46.202
to saturate their souls with your beauty and protection.

447
00:17:47.003 --> 00:17:48.383
In Jesus's holy name,

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00:17:48.743 --> 00:17:49.144
amen.

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00:17:50.304 --> 00:17:51.104
Thank you for listening,

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00:17:51.105 --> 00:17:51.605
my friend.

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00:17:52.045 --> 00:17:53.185
Don't forget to subscribe,

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00:17:53.225 --> 00:17:55.786
and if my podcast is helping you or you like it,

453
00:17:56.186 --> 00:17:57.347
would you write me up a review?

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00:17:58.283 --> 00:17:58.483
Also,

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00:17:58.583 --> 00:18:03.729
don't forget to grab the gift I made for you and shoot me an email to let me know you are listening.

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00:18:04.189 --> 00:18:08.154
And ask a counseling question or a relational question if you have one.

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00:18:08.714 --> 00:18:10.656
I so look forward to hearing from you.

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00:18:11.697 --> 00:18:12.058
Friends,

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may you find peace in the presence and hope on the hilltop.

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00:18:15.462 --> 00:18:16.302
Until next time,

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this is Kimberlee Herman cheering you on from Promise Hill.