by Kathy Brasby | Feb 18, 2025 | The Listening Project
The branches outside your window appear dead, don’t they? Dry wood. No leaves. No growth.
It is winter but you know that buds will sprout soon. They always do.
Life will come.
These dead-looking trees know resurrection. New life.
You lost your life with your husband, a life you expected to continue for much longer.
But it is gone. Like the branches outside, dead in the winter of life.
But new life is possible and you sense it. Your branches are not dead, only resting.
Although you won’t fully heal in this world, you will send out new buds. You will produce leaves and blossoms yet.
Why? Because I bring new life. I am the way, the truth, the life.
Watch as my spring approaches.
There will be joy and songs of thanksgiving, and I will multiply my people, not diminish them; I will honor them, not despise them.
Jeremiah 30:19
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved.
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by Kathy Brasby | Feb 10, 2025 | The Listening Project
Listen for the crescendo of music drawing your thoughts into a place of restoration.
Gentle notes fill the air so that you can almost see the tones.
The songs of the harp, the flute, the lyre, the bells weave a tapestry that wraps your parched heart and mind with tranquility and beauty.
Chaos may roar at you, but I will hold it back so you can hear the sweet tones of my presence.
On this path, I have already swept away the rocks that would bruise your feet and pushed back the branches that would slice your face.
Now I give you more: the songs of eternity sweeping away the turmoil of your grief.
Take another step into my presence. Attend to the melodies of healing.
“My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! Wake up, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”
Psalm 108:1–4
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved.
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by Kathy Brasby | Feb 6, 2025 | The Listening Project
Remember when dark grief snarled and you shrank in horror of the black night?
Sorrow, like an angry monster, pressed down until your breath flew away and you were left choking.
But you listened to my whisper. You clung to my words.
As you stumbled in the darkness of grief, I pushed back the gloomy walls. My touch is as gentle as a feather.
If you had never opened your eyes, if you had never taken steps toward my call, you would remain in the cold blackness of grief.
But you did take steps. You unlocked your eyes.
Little by little, we will push through the final dingy fragments and you will see–even feel–the explosion of reds and greens and yellows. Lights will glisten and you’ll draw fresh breath.
You will hear victory songs. The oriole. The finch. Crickets harmonizing with the evening breeze.
Today you get glimpses and I declare yet again:
We are overcoming.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
Lamentations 3:24-25
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved.
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by Kathy Brasby | Jan 24, 2025 | The Listening Project
The dragon breathes glowing red fire, scorching anything it touches. You know this: it has burned you. And you know its name: grief.
Loss prodded this fiery dragon into life. Do you know it rises from within you? Its long spiked tail slams you again and again until you can’t breathe.
Sharp claws dig into your skin and then you are flung against the rocks over and over and over until your heart races so that you’re sure it will burst.
But I assure you that you are able to stand against it.
No, not alone. With me.
Get to your feet. You are scraped and bloodied. Get behind me, Beloved. Let my shield and my sword protect you.
The dragon will never leave you now, but it can grow smaller.
It will be contained. By me. I will teach it manners and how to sleep in the cave.
Then I will sponge living water onto your bruises and pour the sweet oil of healing over your wounds.
I will soothe your pain, and I will subdue the dragon.
Get behind me, my love. Let me protect you.
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy mountain.
Psalm 3:3-4
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved.
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by Kathy Brasby | Jan 7, 2025 | The Listening Project
Storms of grief roar, filling your mind with chaos. The winds of pain shriek, making you believe you cannot hear me.
Focus on my voice instead.
You think I am not speaking? Listen.
I whisper words of hope, confidence, and life. I speak in the storm.
Learn to hear my voice even when your pain would lure you away–into confusion and despair.
Those howling winds are outside, not within your spirit. Let my voice breathe life to your thoughts and soul.
Focus on me, not those external angry cries.
My words are of love and purpose and kindness and mercy.
In the storm, I love you.
Amid the shrieks of disarray, I show you mercy.
You have a choice: to listen to the roar of pain or to my voice of love and peace.
Choose wisely.
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.”
John 15:9
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved.
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by Kathy Brasby | Dec 30, 2024 | The Listening Project
Step into the water and feel the soft sponge caress your skin with warm water. Living water.
I love you, dear one, and I pour fragrant sudsy water over your body.
No, don’t protest. This is the nature of my kingdom: to serve my children.
I rinse away the dust of this world, the responsibilities and burdens. My burden is light.
Be revived by this smooth water. Your thoughts will settle and be rejuvenated by my flowing stream.
Allow your heart to be healed and your mind awakened.
Trust me. I love you and I will breathe new life into you day by day.
Lean into my gentle waters.
Be renewed. Be refreshed.
Be restored.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:2-3
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved.
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