The Listening Project
In the spring of 2022, my world was shattered when my husband of 32 years died unexpectedly of cancer. My life tilted out of balance. As I tried to recover my footing, I clung to God.
In that first summer after Matt died, I started my days reading the Bible and praying. One day, I decided also to listen.
Jeremiah 33:3 reminds us that God says, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (NASB)
For three weeks, I listened but heard nothing. Then words began to come and I wrote them down. At first, I often only heard a word or a phrase. Short thoughts were repeated. But, over time, God’s words transformed into sentences and more complex ideas.
The messages on this page are lifted from these times of listening to God (I haven’t stopped). They have helped me to heal in my grief journey. If you’re going through grief or other hardship, I hope these posts comfort you as you consider God’s kindness and love.
When we call to him, he does answer.
Take Another Step
The mountain stream gurgles in celebration of life. Walk beside it on my path. You can’t see around the corner yet but keep walking. Celebrate each step as a step toward the plans I am unrolling. Take another step. You are tired, my love. The weight is heavy. But I...
Join Me
Eat from my banquet table, dear one. See the foods before you. Endless choices. Smell the aromas of roasted meat and fresh vegetables. Taste the sweet fruits. I provide abundantly. Sit with me at my feast. Let us join in celebration. The music of a festival fills the...
I Will Wait
(One day early in my grief, I prayed to God: "Today I hurt. A piece of me wants to run far away, to hide in a deep cave, to ignore all my responsibilities, to let someone else care for me." Here's what he said to me.) One step today. You don’t have to climb a...
Dance In The Rain
Let my peace be a balm to heal to your wounds. Allow my love cascade over you like a warm shower, cleansing and restoring. Let me bring newness to your heart and hope to your soul. Trust me for eternity. I will never leave you or forsake you. Take my hand and we’ll...
Can You Hear?
(On a day when I was downcast and tired, I begged God to help me. I was mired in emotional mud with no energy. Life seemed overwhelming. This is what he said to me.) Can you see me? Can you hear my heartbeat? Can you feel the thundering of my coming? I am sending an...
Always With You
I have never forgotten and I have never left you. Let me continue to lift you. Lean on me and I will give you new strength. I will show you my path. Walk on this path of smooth sand. You may not see around the next corner but you can trust me. I hold you and I will...
Do Not Stop
You have climbed a mountain. There are boulders behind. Rocks ahead. Do not stop. Do NOT stop. You have given in to discouragement and self-centered pity in the past. Do not give in again. You have a mountain to climb and others need what you are learning. Allow me...
Come, My Child
Listen to my voice. My words pierce your heart but bring healing. Let the infection gush out. Let me pour healing salve into your wounds. Let me bring healing. Of course this hurts. Pain is not evil but only a sign of a wound. You have lost a part of yourself. The two...
You Are Healing
I have helped you heal. It’s time to share. Let the petals rain over the ones battered by this world’s hurts and loss. Be my girl of vibrant colors, of delicate flowers, of graceful blossoms. Share the beauty of healing. Love them as I love you. And as I love them. To...
Photographs by Kathy Brasby. More can be seen at this site.