What if Your Struggle Had Purpose? (The Storyteller) | Promise Hill S1 Ep 11

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Welcome back to Promise Hill,

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Season 1,

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Episode 11,

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The Storyteller.

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Hello,

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I'm your host,

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Kimberlee Herman.

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If you're just tuning in,

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awesome I'm so glad you're here.

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You're meant to be here.

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Now this is an unfolding story,

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so if you're interested,

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you can check out the story.

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episode one to learn a little bit more backstory about our main character.

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Now,

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I would love to hear from you.

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What questions do you have about counseling or relationships?

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Shoot me an email at the email listed below.

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And I have a gift for you.

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I made it just for you.

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It's called Pause,

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a sacred reset.

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I think that's what I named it.

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Something like that.

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It's a tool to help you when you're feeling overwhelmed.

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Now,

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this can also be found at the link below.

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Don't forget to subscribe.

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And if this podcast is helpful,

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would you leave me a review?

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That is how people can figure out if this is something they want to listen to.

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And I want to do a quick shout out to the

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Island of the Grenadines.

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I'm shouting it out because on my charts,

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I just looked.

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Promise Hill scores pretty high in the Grenadines consistently for like a long time.

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So I just want to say thank you for listening.

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The Grenadine Islands are now on my bucket list to visit.

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It looks so beautiful.

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All right.

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In our last episode,

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Mira stepped in to help Charity at the bakery.

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Mira caught wind of a serious conversation between Charity and Pastor Enoch,

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something that didn't sound small,

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and she had a wild dream about a storyteller.

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Today,

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an unfamiliar face visits Promise Hill.

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We're going to meet a new character.

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He sets a time and a place and ordinary plans rearrange themselves.

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By afternoon,

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Promise Hill stands still,

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waiting for words that will soon transform their hearts.

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I'll meet you on the other side of the story with reflections,

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live it out action steps,

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and prayer.

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Let's listen in.

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Saturday arrived with the warm sun rising over Promise Hill.

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Mira opened her eyes,

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thinking of the dream she had a few nights before,

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and wondered if it meant anything.

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As promised,

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she opened the bakery and got the day rolling so that Charity could help out at her church.

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Mira slipped into the rhythm of baking the cookies,

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muffins,

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and scones that Charity had made the night before.

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Mid-morning,

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Nathaniel Ember calmly wandered in.

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He was surprised to see Mira behind the counter.

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Hey there,

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Mira.

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Look at you working here at the bakery.

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I'll take a coffee,

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please,

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to go.

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I use my own cup.

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Here you go.

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Oh,

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and if you've got any of those blackberry muffins,

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I wouldn't say no.

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Hey Nathaniel,

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nice to see you.

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She handed him the warm pastry and filled his mug with fresh hot coffee,

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just as the door opened again.

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An excited looking man in his

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30s with kind and welcoming big brown eyes stepped in.

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Hello,

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I'm Solomon Reed and I'm a storyteller.

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Would you mind if I stood in front of the shop this afternoon?

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I'd like to tell a story appropriate for all ages to whoever wants to listen.

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Um.

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Mira was taken off guard,

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glancing toward the bookstore and thinking about her dream.

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She was shocked and speechless.

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Her heart was beating out of her chest.

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I've got a great spot,

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Solomon.

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I'm Nathaniel,

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and this is Mira.

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Nathaniel and Mira put out their hands to shake Solomon's.

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Mira noticed the gentle strength that Solomon carried as he greeted her.

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You can stand in front of my wood shop and share your story there.

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Would 2 p.m.

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work?

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Grandma Eden will be done reading her story to the children by then.

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Solomon smiled.

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Of course.

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Two works great.

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In the meantime,

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it's nice to meet you both.

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I'll be back soon.

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And just like that,

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he departed.

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Solomon left behind a wonder and expectation that something exciting was coming and that he was the one to deliver.

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The hours went by fairly quickly with a steady stream of customers.

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Mira noticed that the customers were coming in from all over the world.

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noticed she enjoyed working again and the distraction helped get out of her own head.

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True to his word,

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Solomon the storyteller showed up right at two to meet Nathaniel outside of the bakery.

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Hi there Solomon,

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ready for your story?

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Because I am.

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I sure am.

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Thank you for letting me do this.

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I'm a complete stranger.

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This means a lot to me.

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I have a great feeling about you,

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Solomon.

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So,

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follow me and let's get started.

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We're just going across the street to Ember and Oak,

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my wood shop.

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Nathaniel led the way,

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with Solomon by his side.

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Nathaniel could see quiet curiosity in his face and notice the way his shoulders relaxed with each step toward his studio.

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The woodshop was a humble place,

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nestled on the corner,

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just across the street from the bakery,

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feeling peaceful and close enough to be seen by the whole town.

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When they reached the edge of Nathaniel's shop,

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he paused,

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turning to Solomon.

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Here's the spot.

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Will this work?

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Nathaniel gestured to the area in front of his shop.

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There's enough room for you here,

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and the sound of your voice will carry.

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I'll tell you about that another time.

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Well,

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I'm gonna definitely need to hear that story.

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Solomon looked around,

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nodding thoughtfully.

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He ran his hand along the edge of the bench,

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the smooth wood feeling familiar under his fingertips.

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It's a good spot.

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I can already feel the stories waiting to be shared here.

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Nathaniel smiled,

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noticing how the storyteller's words seemed to come alive even in the quietness of the moment.

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You and I have something in common.

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I try to tell stories through the wood I craft,

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and I've always believed that stories have a way of making a place feel more alive.

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Solomon's eyes lit up.

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He stepped forward,

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letting his hand rest on the wooden post that framed the doorway.

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Well,

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that's really awesome,

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Nathaniel.

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Yeah,

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we do have that in common.

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Maybe this town needs to go deeper with familiar stories.

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That's what I do.

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I take a story we all know and look at it from a different perspective,

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and it sounds like you'd do that with wood.

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Very cool,

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Nathaniel.

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His voice was thick with meaning.

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It's time to share them here.

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Nathaniel nodded,

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appreciating the weight of Solomon's words.

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I can't wait to hear your story,

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Solomon.

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What a gift you're bringing to our small town.

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He gestured to the ground,

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where the sidewalk led to the space between the shop and the street.

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You can stand right here,

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and the people will hear you.

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If you need anything,

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just let me know.

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Solomon looked down at the ground,

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taking in the quiet hum of Promise Hill.

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Then he turned back to Nathaniel with a smile.

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I don't need a thing.

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I'll begin soon.

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I'll need a moment to gather my thoughts.

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Take your time,

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and when you're ready,

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just let your words flow.

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As Solomon set down his satchel and began to prepare,

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Nathaniel stood nearby,

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watching him thoughtfully.

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There was something about this man that felt right,

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like he was meant to be here,

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bringing something the town didn't even know it needed.

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Mira,

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having finished her shift at the bakery,

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joined them outside just in time to see Solomon pulling out a small leather-bound notebook.

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He flipped it open and scanned through a few pages,

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as though searching for just the right beginning.

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She also noticed a

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big black Bible book that matched her mother's and grandma Eden's.

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Nathaniel turned to Mira,

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his voice low.

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I think Promise Hill is about to receive a gift.

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Mira smiled.

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Her curiosity peaked.

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I think so too.

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As Mira stood next to Nathaniel,

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other people noticed and wanted to see what was going on.

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One of the perks of being in a small town.

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People started coming in from all directions.

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Nathaniel waved over the people walking by,

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while Mira yelled,

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Come listen to Solomon the storyteller.

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As Solomon took a deep breath and looked out at the crowd that was forming,

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the stage was set.

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Solomon was ready,

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and Nathaniel could already feel the people leaning in to listen.

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Solomon's voice gathered strength as he started the story.

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I didn't know colors.

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I couldn't describe the blue of the sky or the golden hues of the sun.

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People tried to explain them to me when I was a child,

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but all I knew was darkness.

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I was born blind.

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Every day I sat near the temple,

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begging.

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Not because I wanted to,

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but because it was the only way I could survive.

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My brothers dropped me off at the same place day after day.

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People whispered when they passed.

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Some said my blindness was punishment for sin.

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Maybe mine.

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Maybe my parents.

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As if my darkness was deserved.

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But I leaned in to listen deeply.

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I could tell what kind of person someone was by the sound of their steps.

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Heavy,

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hurried,

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ashamed,

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proud.

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Some voices passed in judgment.

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Others dropped a coin with a whisper of pity.

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I had no name to most,

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just that blind man.

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Then one day I heard a different kind of voice,

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calm,

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certain.

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There was movement around him,

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people pressing in asking questions.

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One of them asked about me.

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Rabbi,

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who sinned,

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this man or his parents,

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that he was born blind?

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I braced myself for more condemnation.

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But the man's answer surprised me.

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Neither this man nor his parents sinned,

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but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

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No one had ever said my life had purpose before.

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Then I felt someone kneel close to me.

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There was silence for a moment,

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then a strange sound,

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00:10:38.969 --> 00:10:39.369
spitting.

272
00:10:40.209 --> 00:10:41.290
I flinched at first,

273
00:10:41.690 --> 00:10:44.911
then gentle fingers smeared something smooth and cool over my eyes.

274
00:10:46.071 --> 00:10:46.411
Mud.

275
00:10:47.387 --> 00:10:49.889
He told me to go wash in the pool of Siloam.

276
00:10:50.929 --> 00:10:52.190
He didn't promise anything,

277
00:10:52.571 --> 00:10:53.471
just told me to go.

278
00:10:54.732 --> 00:10:56.773
A few people helped guide me to the pool.

279
00:10:57.174 --> 00:10:57.794
I stumbled,

280
00:10:58.114 --> 00:10:58.655
I slipped,

281
00:10:59.515 --> 00:11:00.296
but I got there.

282
00:11:01.096 --> 00:11:03.958
And when the water touched my eyes and the mud washed away,

283
00:11:05.359 --> 00:11:05.860
I saw,

284
00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:07.661
I saw the world.

285
00:11:08.662 --> 00:11:11.163
Light burst in like fire and music.

286
00:11:11.724 --> 00:11:13.405
I saw faces,

287
00:11:13.865 --> 00:11:14.306
colors,

288
00:11:14.826 --> 00:11:15.646
reflections.

289
00:11:16.683 --> 00:11:17.364
I laughed.

290
00:11:18.604 --> 00:11:19.405
I cried.

291
00:11:20.005 --> 00:11:20.646
I ran.

292
00:11:22.127 --> 00:11:23.528
People didn't believe it was me.

293
00:11:24.228 --> 00:11:26.150
Some argued I wasn't the same man,

294
00:11:26.450 --> 00:11:27.351
but I kept saying,

295
00:11:28.211 --> 00:11:29.132
I am the man.

296
00:11:29.932 --> 00:11:31.133
I told them what he did.

297
00:11:31.994 --> 00:11:33.375
Some still refused to see.

298
00:11:34.115 --> 00:11:34.836
Later that day,

299
00:11:35.376 --> 00:11:36.357
he found me again.

300
00:11:37.197 --> 00:11:39.979
He looked into my new eyes with a gaze deeper than sight.

301
00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:43.482
Do you believe in the Son of Man?

302
00:11:43.882 --> 00:11:44.543
He asked.

303
00:11:45.563 --> 00:11:46.103
Who is he,

304
00:11:46.263 --> 00:11:46.463
sir?

305
00:11:47.343 --> 00:11:49.504
Tell me so that I may believe.

306
00:11:50.684 --> 00:11:52.425
You have now seen him,

307
00:11:52.765 --> 00:11:53.365
he said.

308
00:11:54.425 --> 00:11:54.926
In fact,

309
00:11:55.446 --> 00:11:57.026
he is the one speaking with you.

310
00:11:58.406 --> 00:11:59.287
And I believed.

311
00:11:59.667 --> 00:12:01.487
I dropped to my knees and worshipped him.

312
00:12:03.048 --> 00:12:04.248
I once lived in darkness,

313
00:12:04.548 --> 00:12:05.768
not just in my eyes,

314
00:12:05.828 --> 00:12:06.949
but in my soul.

315
00:12:07.749 --> 00:12:09.389
But now I know what light is,

316
00:12:09.730 --> 00:12:10.750
not just sunlight,

317
00:12:11.010 --> 00:12:12.230
but the light of the world.

318
00:12:13.170 --> 00:12:14.751
My name no longer matters.

319
00:12:15.607 --> 00:12:16.647
What matters is this.

320
00:12:18.388 --> 00:12:19.168
I was blind,

321
00:12:19.928 --> 00:12:20.809
and now I see.

322
00:12:21.709 --> 00:12:24.470
The crowd was awestruck and erupted in cheers,

323
00:12:24.790 --> 00:12:25.190
tears,

324
00:12:25.510 --> 00:12:26.790
and a thunder of clapping.

325
00:12:27.550 --> 00:12:32.092
Mira could hear murmuring of how incredible the story was and how it touched their hearts.

326
00:12:33.172 --> 00:12:33.552
Solomon,

327
00:12:33.792 --> 00:12:34.572
the storyteller,

328
00:12:34.812 --> 00:12:36.133
began to blush and said,

329
00:12:37.233 --> 00:12:38.994
Thank you for sharing your time with me.

330
00:12:39.734 --> 00:12:41.034
Jesus is the way,

331
00:12:41.614 --> 00:12:42.175
the truth,

332
00:12:42.675 --> 00:12:43.275
and the life.

333
00:12:43.907 --> 00:12:45.849
He gave me that story for you today.

334
00:12:46.510 --> 00:12:47.791
It is taken from the Bible,

335
00:12:47.851 --> 00:12:51.314
but I put my own spin on it so you could hear it in a new way.

336
00:12:52.155 --> 00:12:57.621
Someone here needed to see from that perspective because you have been blind and wanting so much to see.

337
00:12:58.341 --> 00:12:59.903
Jesus wants you to see the light.

338
00:13:00.243 --> 00:13:02.645
May the darkness leave you and truth settle in.

339
00:13:03.586 --> 00:13:06.229
There will be a few more stories over the next few weeks,

340
00:13:06.589 --> 00:13:08.051
and you all are welcome back.

341
00:13:08.391 --> 00:13:09.532
Bless all of you.

342
00:13:10.433 --> 00:13:13.895
The crowd again erupted in applause and thanked him for his story.

343
00:13:14.816 --> 00:13:16.197
When some began to disperse,

344
00:13:16.517 --> 00:13:17.879
Nathaniel approached Solomon.

345
00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.820
You have a place to stay?

346
00:13:21.001 --> 00:13:22.122
Solomon nodded his head.

347
00:13:23.043 --> 00:13:25.545
I have a trailer in the woods I have already set up.

348
00:13:26.205 --> 00:13:27.326
I could use a hot shower,

349
00:13:27.386 --> 00:13:27.606
though.

350
00:13:27.846 --> 00:13:28.707
Would that be okay?

351
00:13:30.288 --> 00:13:30.769
Of course.

352
00:13:31.129 --> 00:13:31.569
Anytime.

353
00:13:31.609 --> 00:13:32.210
Here's my cell.

354
00:13:32.650 --> 00:13:33.291
I'm here to help.

355
00:13:34.475 --> 00:13:35.456
After your shower,

356
00:13:35.756 --> 00:13:37.898
let me treat you to a hot meal down at the cafe,

357
00:13:38.439 --> 00:13:41.081
and then I can drop you off at your place if you need a ride.

358
00:13:42.462 --> 00:13:45.304
Solomon smiled and exchanged numbers with Nathaniel.

359
00:13:46.205 --> 00:13:46.986
That would be great.

360
00:13:47.526 --> 00:13:47.847
You know,

361
00:13:48.067 --> 00:13:48.587
Nathaniel,

362
00:13:49.208 --> 00:13:50.269
you're an answer to prayer.

363
00:13:51.089 --> 00:13:55.593
God told me he would take care of the details of where I would sleep and where I would be fed,

364
00:13:56.054 --> 00:13:58.256
as well as bringing listeners to hear my stories.

365
00:13:59.336 --> 00:14:01.719
Know that you are in God's plans for my visit.

366
00:14:02.503 --> 00:14:04.825
I'll be back shortly after I gather some things.

367
00:14:06.146 --> 00:14:09.008
Solomon looked around and caught Grandma Eden's eyes.

368
00:14:09.849 --> 00:14:13.431
After she finished reading her new children's book at the Lantern Bookstore,

369
00:14:13.892 --> 00:14:15.373
she listened to Solomon's story,

370
00:14:15.733 --> 00:14:17.134
standing in the back of the crowd.

371
00:14:17.774 --> 00:14:19.816
She gave him a nod and then quickly left.

372
00:14:20.516 --> 00:14:22.138
He wondered when he would see her next.

373
00:14:22.858 --> 00:14:26.361
He took a deep breath in and knew he would stay for a while.

374
00:14:27.402 --> 00:14:29.023
This is a place he needed to be.

375
00:14:29.763 --> 00:14:31.144
God had an assignment for him.

376
00:14:31.664 --> 00:14:33.586
He just did not know who it was for.

377
00:14:34.366 --> 00:14:38.970
But at the same time he knew one of his assignments was to fix what he broke.

378
00:14:39.830 --> 00:14:41.892
Mira walked up to Solomon before she left.

379
00:14:43.233 --> 00:14:43.653
Thank you,

380
00:14:43.753 --> 00:14:44.213
Solomon,

381
00:14:44.273 --> 00:14:45.574
for such a great story.

382
00:14:46.875 --> 00:14:48.036
You're really gifted.

383
00:14:48.916 --> 00:14:50.117
I look forward to hearing more.

384
00:14:51.478 --> 00:14:52.379
Off-topic question.

385
00:14:53.540 --> 00:14:55.241
I couldn't help but notice your black book.

386
00:14:55.941 --> 00:14:56.622
Where did you get it?

387
00:14:57.643 --> 00:14:57.823
Ah.

388
00:14:58.455 --> 00:14:59.035
My Bible.

389
00:14:59.676 --> 00:15:03.658
A dear friend from long ago gave it to me when I didn't know how much I needed it.

390
00:15:04.859 --> 00:15:05.559
In that moment,

391
00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:07.640
other people pressed in to talk to Solomon.

392
00:15:08.501 --> 00:15:10.122
Mira smiled and headed home,

393
00:15:10.422 --> 00:15:12.343
exhausted from being on her feet all day.

394
00:15:12.983 --> 00:15:14.344
Her thoughts began to bubble up.

395
00:15:16.265 --> 00:15:16.865
A Bible.

396
00:15:17.906 --> 00:15:19.107
Just like from my dream.

397
00:15:19.854 --> 00:15:21.095
and from Grandma Eden's,

398
00:15:21.616 --> 00:15:23.277
as well as the one my mom gave me,

399
00:15:24.198 --> 00:15:25.859
and like the one in my flashback.

400
00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:27.220
Clearly,

401
00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.521
I am supposed to read it.

402
00:15:29.382 --> 00:15:31.164
Her heart felt a new kind of hope,

403
00:15:31.684 --> 00:15:32.845
but she wasn't sure why.

404
00:15:33.706 --> 00:15:35.387
She was still reeling about her dream,

405
00:15:35.748 --> 00:15:37.589
and the storyteller appeared on Saturday,

406
00:15:37.869 --> 00:15:38.730
just like she heard.

407
00:15:39.611 --> 00:15:41.372
She also thought deeply about the story.

408
00:15:41.953 --> 00:15:44.575
A blind man being healed sounded vaguely familiar.

409
00:15:49.662 --> 00:15:58.108
Mira plopped down on her couch when she arrived home to re-read the letter Grandma Eden wrote to her about soul care and healing from her marriage to Jackson.

410
00:15:58.968 --> 00:16:00.169
When she picked up the envelope,

411
00:16:00.529 --> 00:16:02.471
she noticed there was something else inside,

412
00:16:02.971 --> 00:16:04.312
a small card that read,

413
00:16:05.533 --> 00:16:06.153
Planted,

414
00:16:06.774 --> 00:16:07.794
not buried.

415
00:16:08.615 --> 00:16:11.457
Beneath the writing was a small hand-drawn symbol,

416
00:16:11.897 --> 00:16:16.180
a seed in the shape of a heart cradled in the roots of a blooming flower.

417
00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:19.202
Mira traced the edges of the card with her fingertip.

418
00:16:19.626 --> 00:16:20.626
Her eyes damp.

419
00:16:21.467 --> 00:16:22.267
Whatever this was,

420
00:16:22.987 --> 00:16:24.268
it wasn't just encouragement,

421
00:16:24.688 --> 00:16:26.189
it was a new type of a beginning.

422
00:16:27.589 --> 00:16:28.010
Somehow,

423
00:16:28.330 --> 00:16:31.151
through an old story with new lenses and a single flower,

424
00:16:31.731 --> 00:16:33.932
something new had started to shift inside her.

425
00:16:34.652 --> 00:16:37.613
And maybe that was the beginning of seeing things in a new way.

426
00:16:38.854 --> 00:16:40.014
As she set the card down,

427
00:16:40.235 --> 00:16:40.895
the phone rang.

428
00:16:45.137 --> 00:16:45.357
Hello,

429
00:16:45.477 --> 00:16:45.757
Mama.

430
00:16:46.917 --> 00:16:48.158
It's so good to hear from you.

431
00:16:48.894 --> 00:16:49.394
How are you?

432
00:16:50.715 --> 00:16:51.036
Mira,

433
00:16:51.716 --> 00:16:53.397
you need to know something else.

434
00:16:54.218 --> 00:16:54.458
What,

435
00:16:54.538 --> 00:16:54.838
Mama?

436
00:16:56.219 --> 00:16:58.501
A storyteller had arrived in Promise Hill.

437
00:16:59.262 --> 00:17:01.483
A blind man had found his sight.

438
00:17:02.164 --> 00:17:04.405
And for the first time in a very long time,

439
00:17:04.966 --> 00:17:07.588
Mira wondered if she might be beginning to see too.

440
00:17:08.388 --> 00:17:09.589
But before the day was over,

441
00:17:10.010 --> 00:17:14.053
a single phone call would uncover a clue that had been hidden for years.

442
00:17:14.813 --> 00:17:15.293
Take it away,

443
00:17:15.373 --> 00:17:15.714
Kimberlee.

444
00:17:19.038 --> 00:17:20.799
Let's unwrap this story together.

445
00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:24.620
What happened in Promise Hill that Saturday wasn't random.

446
00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:26.420
It was orchestrated by God.

447
00:17:27.080 --> 00:17:30.461
Ordinary moments turned into holy ground because people made space,

448
00:17:30.981 --> 00:17:31.701
paid attention,

449
00:17:31.822 --> 00:17:34.742
and responded to what God was doing right in front of them.

450
00:17:35.583 --> 00:17:37.903
That's usually how transformation starts.

451
00:17:38.363 --> 00:17:39.724
Not in grand gestures,

452
00:17:39.824 --> 00:17:40.904
although it can happen,

453
00:17:41.364 --> 00:17:42.064
but in small,

454
00:17:42.184 --> 00:17:43.445
intentional choices.

455
00:17:44.365 --> 00:17:45.745
As we step back from the story,

456
00:17:45.825 --> 00:17:47.846
we can identify some clear patterns.

457
00:17:48.222 --> 00:17:50.304
that we can apply to our own lives.

458
00:17:50.784 --> 00:17:51.585
Let's jump in.

459
00:17:52.225 --> 00:17:53.286
Reflection number one.

460
00:17:54.267 --> 00:17:56.048
Our pain may hold a purpose.

461
00:17:56.649 --> 00:17:57.470
Hear it and hold it.

462
00:17:57.570 --> 00:17:58.691
John 9 verse 3.

463
00:18:00.012 --> 00:18:03.495
But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

464
00:18:04.535 --> 00:18:07.298
The blind man's condition wasn't a punishment.

465
00:18:07.398 --> 00:18:08.318
It was a platform.

466
00:18:08.999 --> 00:18:13.943
Sometimes what feels like punishment or injustice is preparation for a testimony.

467
00:18:14.804 --> 00:18:17.426
God may allow brokenness to become a beacon.

468
00:18:17.626 --> 00:18:21.247
of his power and grace.

469
00:18:21.248 --> 00:18:22.327
Reflection number two,

470
00:18:22.547 --> 00:18:24.828
obedience precedes transformation.

471
00:18:25.388 --> 00:18:26.288
Hear it and hold it.

472
00:18:26.369 --> 00:18:28.129
John 9 verse 7.

473
00:18:29.029 --> 00:18:29.149
Go,

474
00:18:29.609 --> 00:18:30.210
he told him,

475
00:18:30.610 --> 00:18:32.190
wash in the pool of Siloam.

476
00:18:32.790 --> 00:18:35.671
So the man went and washed and came home seeing.

477
00:18:37.692 --> 00:18:39.292
The man didn't know what would happen,

478
00:18:39.392 --> 00:18:40.032
but he went.

479
00:18:40.673 --> 00:18:45.334
Faith is often revealed in the willingness to act without full understanding.

480
00:18:46.442 --> 00:18:50.085
We experience change when we trust enough to move.

481
00:18:51.186 --> 00:18:57.111
Has that happened to you before where you felt the Lord telling you to do something and either A,

482
00:18:57.351 --> 00:19:00.954
you were obedient and did it and felt the peace of the Lord all over it,

483
00:19:01.494 --> 00:19:01.734
or B,

484
00:19:02.275 --> 00:19:06.638
you fought him and didn't do it and felt not the peace?

485
00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:13.764
I've done both and it's so much easier when you feel the peace of the Lord on you,

486
00:19:13.884 --> 00:19:15.966
even though it's something that's really hard to do.

487
00:19:17.966 --> 00:19:20.967
So I want to encourage you to have faith like the blind man.

488
00:19:22.647 --> 00:19:24.468
Reflection number three.

489
00:19:24.469 --> 00:19:27.429
True vision is seeing Jesus for who he is.

490
00:19:28.129 --> 00:19:28.949
Hear it and hold it.

491
00:19:29.049 --> 00:19:30.430
John 9 verse 38.

492
00:19:30.930 --> 00:19:31.850
Then the man said,

493
00:19:32.050 --> 00:19:32.370
Lord,

494
00:19:32.550 --> 00:19:33.211
I believe.

495
00:19:33.431 --> 00:19:34.311
And he worshiped him.

496
00:19:35.151 --> 00:19:37.392
Physical healing was only the beginning.

497
00:19:38.212 --> 00:19:40.033
Spiritual sight was the true miracle.

498
00:19:40.613 --> 00:19:43.013
Knowing Jesus not only changes our sight,

499
00:19:43.194 --> 00:19:44.674
it changes our soul.

500
00:19:46.442 --> 00:19:49.845
I want to encourage you to do your own Bible reading.

501
00:19:50.585 --> 00:19:53.688
For those of us that go to church and have a nice

502
00:19:54.148 --> 00:19:54.889
Bible message,

503
00:19:54.969 --> 00:19:55.710
that's awesome.

504
00:19:56.230 --> 00:19:57.251
It's essential.

505
00:19:59.172 --> 00:20:07.499
I know too many people that have come through my counseling doors that have belief systems that are not rooted in the Bible,

506
00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:13.584
and part of their counseling work is to get that healed.

507
00:20:14.245 --> 00:20:15.806
We all need to renew our mind.

508
00:20:16.006 --> 00:20:17.071
with the truth of the Lord.

509
00:20:18.055 --> 00:20:19.562
And we can do that when we read

510
00:20:19.602 --> 00:20:20.062
the Bible.

511
00:20:20.162 --> 00:20:26.005
And sometimes we need to look up words in the Hebrew if we're reading the Old Testament,

512
00:20:27.026 --> 00:20:28.767
or the Greek if we're reading the New Testament,

513
00:20:29.147 --> 00:20:32.029
to fully understand what the scripture is saying.

514
00:20:32.449 --> 00:20:38.913
And there's lots of great apps out there that have information that goes deeper than just the scripture.

515
00:20:39.573 --> 00:20:42.835
One of them that I use is called the Blue Letter Bible app,

516
00:20:43.395 --> 00:20:44.255
and it is free,

517
00:20:44.556 --> 00:20:48.858
and you just go on the internet.

518
00:20:49.058 --> 00:20:53.421
and type it in and you can type in your scripture and then there's lots of options to go deeper.

519
00:20:53.741 --> 00:20:55.743
So I want to encourage you to do that.

520
00:20:55.863 --> 00:21:01.607
Get to know Jesus as your shepherd through your study.

521
00:21:02.848 --> 00:21:06.571
Don't depend on your pastor to feed you everything.

522
00:21:06.691 --> 00:21:07.711
Now that's a good start,

523
00:21:08.192 --> 00:21:13.215
but you go deeper with the Lord through your own study.

524
00:21:14.136 --> 00:21:14.376
Okay,

525
00:21:14.997 --> 00:21:16.678
I have one action step for you.

526
00:21:17.774 --> 00:21:19.715
Say yes to divine appointments.

527
00:21:20.455 --> 00:21:24.077
Be willing to respond when unexpected opportunities show up.

528
00:21:25.097 --> 00:21:26.738
Nathaniel didn't plan an event.

529
00:21:26.758 --> 00:21:29.099
He simply said yes when Solomon appeared.

530
00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:33.761
God often brings key people into our path that unlock new growth.

531
00:21:34.481 --> 00:21:41.424
Transformation happens when we stop brushing those moments off as either coincidences or irritations.

532
00:21:42.065 --> 00:21:42.705
So this week,

533
00:21:42.825 --> 00:21:44.946
pay attention to interruption moments.

534
00:21:45.610 --> 00:21:47.791
Before saying no out of habit,

535
00:21:48.951 --> 00:21:50.892
pause and ask the Lord,

536
00:21:51.012 --> 00:21:52.773
could this be a divine appointment?

537
00:21:54.294 --> 00:21:54.454
Now,

538
00:21:54.554 --> 00:21:58.435
I know some of you listening are people pleasers and say yes to everything.

539
00:21:58.855 --> 00:21:59.756
I don't want you to do that.

540
00:21:59.836 --> 00:22:00.836
I want you to pause,

541
00:22:01.076 --> 00:22:02.617
literally just pause.

542
00:22:03.437 --> 00:22:04.718
And I want you to ask the Lord,

543
00:22:04.758 --> 00:22:05.058
Lord,

544
00:22:05.098 --> 00:22:06.278
is this something you want me to do?

545
00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.599
And if you feel the peace of the Lord,

546
00:22:09.760 --> 00:22:10.560
go ahead and do it.

547
00:22:10.620 --> 00:22:11.961
If you don't feel any peace,

548
00:22:12.301 --> 00:22:12.861
then say no.

549
00:22:13.581 --> 00:22:15.282
But for those people that...

550
00:22:15.482 --> 00:22:19.804
tend to say no to everything or get irritated when they're interrupted with something,

551
00:22:20.464 --> 00:22:22.285
that would be the time also to ask the Lord,

552
00:22:22.445 --> 00:22:22.665
hey,

553
00:22:23.045 --> 00:22:24.066
what do you want me to do here?

554
00:22:25.126 --> 00:22:27.908
This is a break in my day that I wasn't expecting.

555
00:22:28.588 --> 00:22:29.228
Show me what to do.

556
00:22:30.969 --> 00:22:31.209
All right,

557
00:22:31.229 --> 00:22:31.529
friend,

558
00:22:31.589 --> 00:22:32.470
let me pray for you,

559
00:22:32.930 --> 00:22:33.410
just you,

560
00:22:33.550 --> 00:22:35.091
wherever you are right now.

561
00:22:35.991 --> 00:22:36.311
Jesus,

562
00:22:36.391 --> 00:22:38.432
thank you for the one listening right now.

563
00:22:39.073 --> 00:22:41.914
You see their weariness and the quiet ache they don't have words for.

564
00:22:42.526 --> 00:22:45.549
I know you meet us in the ordinary and you are always present.

565
00:22:46.269 --> 00:22:50.533
I ask for the gift of other people to help the listeners who need support,

566
00:22:50.993 --> 00:22:55.697
like Mira's generous time to the bakery and like Nathaniel with his helpful heart to Solomon.

567
00:22:56.818 --> 00:22:59.500
I ask you to touch the dim places in these listeners'

568
00:22:59.540 --> 00:23:00.461
hearts to give light,

569
00:23:00.561 --> 00:23:01.161
revelation,

570
00:23:01.181 --> 00:23:01.862
or breakthrough,

571
00:23:02.362 --> 00:23:03.563
and to wash away shame,

572
00:23:03.684 --> 00:23:03.944
fear,

573
00:23:04.004 --> 00:23:04.484
and hurry,

574
00:23:04.905 --> 00:23:06.866
and help them see you clearly again.

575
00:23:07.827 --> 00:23:11.310
I ask for protection for every seed you've planted in their hearts.

576
00:23:11.806 --> 00:23:14.108
Remind them they are planted and not buried,

577
00:23:14.428 --> 00:23:15.829
for you have plans for them.

578
00:23:16.689 --> 00:23:18.991
When it feels quiet or they feel unseen,

579
00:23:19.391 --> 00:23:23.154
may they feel the whisper that your work is still alive beneath the surface.

580
00:23:24.455 --> 00:23:28.137
May the listener feel deeply seen and deeply loved by you.

581
00:23:29.038 --> 00:23:30.639
In your holy and mighty name,

582
00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:31.140
Jesus.

583
00:23:31.540 --> 00:23:31.920
Amen.

584
00:23:33.161 --> 00:23:36.183
Don't forget to subscribe and forward this to a friend who could use it.

585
00:23:36.743 --> 00:23:40.106
Also grab the gift that I have made for you by clicking the link below

586
00:23:40.574 --> 00:23:41.556
And shoot me an email.

587
00:23:42.377 --> 00:23:44.159
Let me know any questions that you might have.

588
00:23:45.541 --> 00:23:45.842
Friends,

589
00:23:45.882 --> 00:23:48.806
may you find peace in the presence and hope on the hilltop.

590
00:23:49.367 --> 00:23:50.248
Until next time,

591
00:23:50.428 --> 00:23:54.074
this is Kimberlee Herman cheering you on from Promise Hill.