I was blind (until Jesus healed my soul) | Promise Hill--Where Stories Heal and Hope is Redeemed

Description

The story you’ll hear in Promise Hill is fiction—but the heart behind it is real. It’s not based on any one person, but it reflects the honest, messy, and beautiful experiences so many of us share: grief, hope, change, and growth.

The reflections and action steps I include along the way are just gentle offerings—little things to think about or try. Take what speaks to you, and feel free to leave the rest. This space is here to uplift, inspire, and maybe even bring a bit of comfort or clarity.

And if you’re walking through something heavy right now, please don’t go it alone. Reach out to a trusted counselor or mental health professional. You are deeply worthy of that kind of support.

I am so grateful you’re here, friend. Thank you for spending this time with me.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Transcription

Speaker #0
Welcome back to Promise Hill, where every corner of this quiet town holds a story waiting to be discovered. This is Soul Care Wrapped in Fiction. I'm your host, Kimberlee Herman. If you're just tuning in, awesome! I'm so glad that you're here. You're meant to be here. This is a different type of podcast, one in which I'm not sure exists until now. You're listening to an unfolding story, so you may want to start with Chapter 1, but I have you covered and will give you a quick summary to catch you up. After losing her marriage and her job, Mira has been slowly finding her footing in Promise Hill. thanks to Grandma Eden's steady guidance and the quiet wisdom of Nathaniel, Gideon, and Charity. She's learning that maybe she isn't buried after all, and maybe she's finally being planted. But life isn't pausing for her healing. Her mother's dementia has stirred up a trail of mysterious papers that have yet to be revealed. And after stepping in to help Charity at the bakery, Mira caught wind of a serious conversation between Charity and Pastor Enoch, something that didn't sound small. Now, for Chapter 10, which we're walking into today, it's called I Was Blind, Now I See. An unfamiliar face visits Promise Hill. He sets a time and a place, and ordinary plans rearrange themselves. By afternoon, Promise Hill stands still, waiting for words. that will soon transform their hearts. Let's listen in.
Speaker #1
Saturday arrived with the warm sun rising over Promise Hill. Mira opened the bakery early for Charity, as she had promised, so that Charity could help out at her church. Mira slipped into the rhythm of baking the cookies, muffins, and scones that Charity had made the night before. Mid-morning, Nathaniel Ember calmly wandered in. He was surprised to see Mira behind the counter.
Speaker #2
Hey there, Mira. Look at you working here at the bakery. I'll take a coffee, please, to go. I use my own cup. Here you go. Oh, and if you've got any of those blackberry muffins, I wouldn't say no.
Speaker #1
She handed him the warm pastry and filled his mug with fresh hot coffee just as the door opened again. An excited-looking man in his forties with kind and welcoming big brown eyes stepped in. Hello.
Speaker #3
I'm Solomon Reed, and I'm a storyteller. Would you mind if I stood in front of the shop this afternoon? I'd like to tell a story appropriate for all ages to whoever wants to listen.
Speaker #4
Um... well...
Speaker #1
Mira was taken off guard, glancing toward the bookstore.
Speaker #4
I don't actually own the bakery, but there's already a story going on at the bookstore today.
Speaker #1
I've got a great spot,
Speaker #2
Solomon. I'm Nathaniel, and this is Mira.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel and Mira... put out their hands to shake Solomon's. Mira noticed the gentle strength that Solomon carried as he greeted her.
Speaker #2
You can stand in front of my woodshop and share your story there. Would 2 p.m. work? Grandma Eden will be done reading her story to the children by then.
Speaker #1
Solomon smiled.
Speaker #3
Of course. Two works great. In the meantime, it's nice to meet you both. I'll be back soon.
Speaker #1
And just like that, he departed. Solomon left behind a wonder and expectation that something exciting was coming and that he was the one to deliver. The hours went by fairly quickly with a steady stream of customers. Mira noticed she enjoyed working again and the distraction helped get out of her own head. True to his word, Solomon the storyteller showed up right at two to meet Nathaniel outside of the bakery. Hi there,
Speaker #2
Solomon. Ready for your story? Because I am.
Speaker #3
I sure am. Thank you for letting me do this. I'm a complete stranger. This means a lot to me.
Speaker #2
Something in me tells me I can trust you. So follow me and let's get started. We're just going across the street to Ember and Oak, my woodshop.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel led the way with Solomon by his side. Nathaniel could see quiet curiosity in his face and noticed the way his shoulders relaxed with each step toward his studio. The wood shop was a humble place, nestled on the corner, just across the street from the bakery, feeling peaceful and close enough to be seen by the whole town. The front of the shop had a small wooden awning, which Nathaniel had built himself. When they reached the edge of Nathaniel's shop, he paused, turning to Solomon.
Speaker #2
Here's the spot. Will this work?
Speaker #1
Nathaniel gestured to the area in front of his shop.
Speaker #2
There's enough room for you and the sound of your voice will carry.
Speaker #1
I will tell you how I know that another time, and if you need a place to sit, you can sit on this bench. Solomon looked around, nodding thoughtfully. He ran his hand along the edge of the bench, the smooth wood feeling familiar under his fingertips.
Speaker #3
It's a good spot. I can already feel the stories waiting to be shared here.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel smiled, noticing how the storyteller's words seemed to come alive, even in the quietness of the moment.
Speaker #2
You and I have something in common. I try to tell stories through the wood I craft, and I've always believed that stories have a way of making a place feel more alive.
Speaker #1
Solomon's eyes lit up. He stepped forward. letting his hand rest on the wooden post that framed the doorway.
Speaker #3
Well, that is really awesome, Nathaniel. Yes, we do have that in common. Maybe this town needs to go deeper with familiar stories. That's what I do. I take a story we all know and look at it from a different perspective. And it sounds like you do that with wood. Very cool, Nathaniel.
Speaker #1
His voice was thick with meaning.
Speaker #3
It's time to share them here.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel nodded, appreciating the weight of Solomon's words.
Speaker #2
I can't wait to hear your stories, Solomon. What a gift you're bringing to our small town.
Speaker #1
He gestured to the ground, where the sidewalk led to the space between the shop and the street.
Speaker #2
You can stand right here, and the people will hear you. Trust me. If you need anything, just let me know.
Speaker #1
Solomon looked down at the ground, taking in the quiet hum of Promise Hill. Then he turned back to Nathaniel with a smile.
Speaker #3
I don't need a thing. I'll begin soon. I'll need a moment to gather my thoughts.
Speaker #2
Take your time.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel responded, giving him the space to settle.
Speaker #2
And when you're ready, just let your words flow.
Speaker #1
As Solomon set down his satchel and began to prepare, Nathaniel stood nearby, watching him thoughtfully. There was something about this man that felt right, like he was meant to be here. bringing something the town didn't even know it needed. Mira, having finished her shift at the bakery, joined them outside just in time to see Solomon pulling out a small leather-bound notebook. He flipped it open and scanned through a few pages, as though searching for just the right beginning. She also noticed a big black book that matched Grandma Eden's. Nathaniel turned to Mira, his voice low.
Speaker #2
I think Promise Hill is about... to receive a gift.
Speaker #1
Mira smiled. Her curiosity peaked.
Speaker #4
I think so too.
Speaker #1
As Mira stood next to Nathaniel, other people noticed and wanted to see what was going on. One of the perks of being in a small town, people started coming in from all directions. Nathaniel waved over the people walking by while Mira yelled,
Speaker #4
Come listen to Solomon the storyteller.
Speaker #1
As Solomon took a deep breath and looked out at the crowd that was forming, The stage was set, Solomon was ready, and Nathaniel could already feel the people leaning in to listen. Solomon's voice gathered strength as he started the story.
Speaker #3
I didn't know colors. I couldn't describe the blue of the sky or the golden hues of the sun. People tried to explain them to me when I was a child, but all I knew was darkness. I was born blind. Every day I sat near the temple, begging. Not because I wanted to, but because it was the only way I could survive. My brothers dropped me off at the same place day after day. People whispered when they passed. Some said my blindness was punishment for sin. Maybe mine. Maybe my parents. As if my darkness was deserved. But I leaned in to listen deeply. I could tell what kind of person someone was by the sound of their steps. Heavy. Hurried. Ashamed. Proud. Some voices passed in judgment. Others dropped a coin with a whisper of pity. I had no name to most, just that blind man. Then one day I heard a different kind of voice, calm, certain. There was movement around him, people pressing in asking questions. One of them asked about me. Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? I braced myself for more condemnation, but the man's answer surprised me. Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. No one had ever said my life had purpose before. Then I felt someone kneel close to me. There was silence for a moment, then a strange sound. Spitting. I flinched at first, then gentle fingers smeared something smooth and cool over my eyes. Mud. He told me to go wash in the pool of Siloam. He didn't promise anything, just told me to go. A few people helped guide me to the pool. I stumbled. I slipped. But I got there. And when the water touched my eyes and the mud washed away, I saw. I saw the world. Light burst in like fire and music. I saw faces, colors, reflections. I laughed. I cried. I ran. People didn't believe it was me. Some argued I wasn't the same man, but I kept saying, I am the man. I told them what he did. Some still refused to see. Later that day, he found me again. He looked into my new eyes with a gaze deeper than sight. Do you believe in the Son of Man? He asked. Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe. You have now seen him, he said. In fact, he is the one speaking with you, and I believed. I dropped to my knees and worshipped him. I once lived in darkness, not just in my eyes, but in my soul. But now I know what light is, not just sunlight, but the light of the world. My name no longer matters. What matters is this. I was blind, and now I see.
Speaker #1
The crowd was awestruck and erupted in cheers, tears, and a thunder of clapping. Mira could hear murmuring of how incredible the story was and how it touched their hearts. Tears were trickling down many of their faces. Solomon, the storyteller, began to blush and said,
Speaker #3
Thank you for sharing your time with me. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He gave me that story for you today. It is taken from the Bible, but I put my own spin on it so you could hear it in a new way. Someone here needed to see from that perspective because you have been blind and wanting so much to see. Jesus wants you to see the light. May the darkness leave you and truth settle in. There will be a few more stories over the next few weeks, and you all are welcome back. Bless all of you.
Speaker #1
The crowd again erupted in applause and thanked him for his story. When some began to disperse, Nathaniel approached Solomon. You have a place to stay? Solomon nodded his head.
Speaker #3
I have a trailer in the woods I have already set up. I could use a hot shower, though. Would that be okay?
Speaker #2
Of course. Anytime. Here's my cell. I'm here to help. After your shower, let me treat you to a hot meal down at the cafe,
Speaker #1
and then I can drop you off at your place if you need a ride. Solomon smiled and exchanged numbers with Nathaniel.
Speaker #3
That would be great. You know, Nathaniel, you're an answer to prayer. God told me he would take care of the details of where I would sleep and where I would be fed, as well as bringing listeners to hear my stories. Know that you are in God's plans for my visit. I'll be back shortly after I gather some things.
Speaker #1
Solomon looked around and caught Grandma Eden's eyes. After she finished reading her new children's book at the Lantern Bookstore, she listened to Solomon's story, standing in the back of the crowd. She gave him a nod and then quickly left. He wondered when he would see her next. He took a deep breath in and knew he would stay for a while. This is a place he needed to be. God had an assignment for him. He just did not know who it was for. But at the same time, he knew one of his assignments was to fix what he broke. Mira walked up to Solomon before she left.
Speaker #4
Thank you, Solomon, for such a great story. You're really gifted. I look forward to hearing more. Off-topic question. I couldn't help but notice your black book. Where did you get it?
Speaker #1
Ah,
Speaker #3
my Bible. A dear friend from long ago gave it to me when I didn't know how much I needed it.
Speaker #1
In that moment, other people pressed in to talk to Solomon. Mira smiled and headed home exhausted from being on her feet all day. Her thoughts began to bubble up.
Speaker #4
A Bible. Just like Grandma Eden's. And like the one in my flashback after I met Grandma Eden for the first time. Mama gave me hers, which has just been sitting on my bookshelf. It feels like it's time to open it up.
Speaker #1
Her heart felt a new kind of hope, but she wasn't sure why. She also thought deeply about the story. A blind man being healed sounded vaguely familiar. 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. When she picked up the envelope, she noticed there was something else inside. A small card that read,
Speaker #4
Planted, not buried.
Speaker #1
Beneath the writing was a small hand-drawn symbol. A seed in the shape of a heart cradled in the roots of a blooming flower. Mira traced the edges of the card with her fingertip, her eyes damp. Whatever this was, it wasn't just encouragement. It was a new type of a beginning. Somehow, through an old story with new lenses and a single flower, something new had started to shift inside her. And maybe that was the beginning of seeing things in a new way. As she set the card down, the phone rang.
Speaker #4
Hello, Mama. It's so good to hear from you. How are you?
Speaker #5
Mira, I'm ready to talk to you about the papers you found in the attic a few weeks back. Will you come visit me on Wednesday?
Speaker #4
Of course, Mama. I'll see you then. I love you.
Speaker #5
I love you more than you know. And don't talk to the lady just yet. I was wrong, really wrong. Oh, Mira. Will you help me find my blue bird?
Speaker #4
Wait, what lady, Mama?
Speaker #1
But Ruth hung up the phone. And just like that, another thread was woven into the quiet tapestry of Promise Hill, a place where a new story interrupted an ordinary day, kindness was an answered prayer, and Mira's story is unfolding even more. Take it away, Kimberlee.
Speaker #0
What happened in Promise Hill that Saturday wasn't random. It was orchestrated by God. Ordinary moments turned into holy ground because people made space, paid attention, and responded to what God was doing right in front of them. That's usually how transformation starts. Not in grand gestures, but in small, intentional choices. As we step back from the story, we can identify some clear patterns that we can apply to our own lives. I know I told you I was going to try to stick to three reflections, but there's too much to gloss over today. So I have five reflections and three action steps. Number one, our pain may hold a hidden purpose. Hear it and hold it. But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9 verse 3. The blind man's condition wasn't a punishment. It was a platform. Sometimes what feels like punishment or injustice is preparation for a testimony. God may allow brokenness to become a beacon of his power and grace. Let that sink in. Sometimes what feels like injustice or punishment can turn into a testimony. What a beautiful, beautiful thought. It's not so easy when you're going through it. But once you get to the other side, it can be pretty amazing. Number two, God often works through what seems strange or uncomfortable. Hear it and hold it. John 9 verse 6 says, After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. Healing came through a very, very unusual act. God's methods may not make sense to us all the time, but they are never without meaning. Sometimes his miracles begin in the mud. Number three, obedience precedes transformation. Hear it and hold it. John 9 verse 7. Go, he told him, wash in the pool of Siloam. So the man went and washed and came home singing. The man didn't know what would happen, but he went. Faith is often revealed in the willingness to act without full understanding. We experience change when we trust enough to move. I have to share a quick story with this one. I was at a evangelist healing kind of thing with my aunts many, many years ago. And the pastor called. Anybody that needed healing and a man came forward and said, my back, something's wrong with my back. And the pastor said, lay on the ground face down. So the guy did. And the pastor said, Said, I feel the Lord telling me to stomp on your, or step on your back, not stomp, step on your back. So the guy's like, okay. And I remember just, oh my gosh, I was just terrified for this guy that would make it worse. But anyway, the pastor took his shoes off, stepped on this man's back as he was praying and, you know, calling out healing. And he got off the man's back. The guy got up and was healed. He was healed. And so God really does work in mysterious ways at times. So I don't, obviously, when you're a healing evangelist, you hear from the Lord and do what he says to do, not what you think you should do. So Jesus saw and heard what the Lord told him to do, and he did it. And same with this pastor I saw. So anyway, just reminded me of that story. Number four, people won't always recognize your transformation. Hear it and hold it. John 9 verse 8. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg? Transformation can be so radical, even those closest to us may struggle to believe it. But it's not their recognition that defines us. It's God's restoration. How many times have you looked back over your life looking at you know, 10 years ago, and because of the work that the Lord has done in your life, look at yourself and be like, wow, I don't even recognize that person anymore. Because so much has happened in your own life that the transformation is just undeniable. All right, last one, number five, true vision is seeing Jesus for who he is. Hear it and hold it. John 9, verse 38. Then the man said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him. Physical healing was only the beginning. Spiritual sight was the true miracle. Knowing Jesus not only changes our sight, it changes our soul. Next, let's move into action steps that you can use. Take one, take none. They're just helpful tools for all of us to engage in so that we can connect closer to the Lord. So number one, say yes to divine appointments. Be willing to respond when unexpected opportunities show up. Nathaniel didn't plan an event. He simply said yes when Solomon appeared. God often brings key people into our path that unlocks new growth. Transformation happens when we stop brushing those moments off as coincidences. So how to start this week, pay attention to interruption moments before saying no out of habit. If you're like me, pause and ask, could this be a divine appointment and see what you hear from the Lord? Ask the Lord if you should say yes to these situations that come up. Number two, re-engage familiar truth with fresh eyes. Revisit scripture. or a story you know well, but study it from a new angle. Solomon took John 9 and made the crowd feel it again. Transformation happens when the word moves from information to encounter. How to start? Choose a passage you've read many times. Read it slowly, imagining yourself as a different character. Be in the scene. Journal what shifts in you when you do. Then, Try this with the situation you are struggling with. Try to put yourself in another person's shoes to see from their eyes. Then observe if that helps you try to understand their position. Maybe you need to put a boundary down. Or maybe you need to pursue reconciliation. Number three, nurture the seed. Don't rush the bloom. Commit to tending the slow work God has begun rather than demanding instant change. How funny, just yesterday I was out spending time with the Lord in my backyard and he was explaining to me that there's a season for everything and I have some grapefruits growing on my tree and he reminded me that a grapefruit starts so small and it takes time for it to get to the place of being able to be picked and eaten. And if you ate it too soon, it's just not going to taste good. It's going to be worthless. So just remember that, that it is So important for the Lord to allow the Lord to grow in you what needs to be grown so that you can release what he's been building in you when the time is right. Why this matters. Mira's card said planted, not buried. So God's work often starts beneath the surface. Transformation grows through faithful tending, not frantic striving. So how to start. Choose one spiritual practice like prayer, scripture meditation, serving, journaling, and tend to it consistently for the next month, trusting that roots are growing even when you can't see them. Let me pray for you, just you, wherever you are, friend. Jesus, thank you for the one listening right now. You see their weariness and the quiet ache they don't have words for. I know you meet us in the ordinary and you are always present. I ask for the gift of others to help the listeners who need support, like Mira's generous time and like Nathaniel with his helpful heart. I ask you to touch the dim places in these listeners' hearts to give light, revelation, or breakthrough, and to wash away shame, fear, and hurry and help them see you clearly again. I ask for protection for every seed you've planted in their hearts. Remind them that they are planted and not buried, for you have plans for them. When it feels quiet or they feel unseen, may they feel the whisper that your work is still alive beneath the surface. In your holy and mighty name, Jesus. Amen. Listener, may you feel deeply seen and deeply loved by our dear Jesus. Friends, may you find peace in the presence and hope on the hilltop. Until next time, this is Kimberlee Herman cheering you on from Promise Hill.

Description

And if you’re walking through something heavy right now, please don’t go it alone. Reach out to a trusted counselor or mental health professional. You are deeply worthy of that kind of support.

I am so grateful you’re here, friend. Thank you for spending this time with me.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Transcription

Speaker #0
Welcome back to Promise Hill, where every corner of this quiet town holds a story waiting to be discovered. This is Soul Care Wrapped in Fiction. I'm your host, Kimberlee Herman. If you're just tuning in, awesome! I'm so glad that you're here. You're meant to be here. This is a different type of podcast, one in which I'm not sure exists until now. You're listening to an unfolding story, so you may want to start with Chapter 1, but I have you covered and will give you a quick summary to catch you up. After losing her marriage and her job, Mira has been slowly finding her footing in Promise Hill. thanks to Grandma Eden's steady guidance and the quiet wisdom of Nathaniel, Gideon, and Charity. She's learning that maybe she isn't buried after all, and maybe she's finally being planted. But life isn't pausing for her healing. Her mother's dementia has stirred up a trail of mysterious papers that have yet to be revealed. And after stepping in to help Charity at the bakery, Mira caught wind of a serious conversation between Charity and Pastor Enoch, something that didn't sound small. Now, for Chapter 10, which we're walking into today, it's called I Was Blind, Now I See. An unfamiliar face visits Promise Hill. He sets a time and a place, and ordinary plans rearrange themselves. By afternoon, Promise Hill stands still, waiting for words. that will soon transform their hearts. Let's listen in.
Speaker #1
Saturday arrived with the warm sun rising over Promise Hill. Mira opened the bakery early for Charity, as she had promised, so that Charity could help out at her church. Mira slipped into the rhythm of baking the cookies, muffins, and scones that Charity had made the night before. Mid-morning, Nathaniel Ember calmly wandered in. He was surprised to see Mira behind the counter.
Speaker #2
Hey there, Mira. Look at you working here at the bakery. I'll take a coffee, please, to go. I use my own cup. Here you go. Oh, and if you've got any of those blackberry muffins, I wouldn't say no.
Speaker #1
She handed him the warm pastry and filled his mug with fresh hot coffee just as the door opened again. An excited-looking man in his forties with kind and welcoming big brown eyes stepped in. Hello.
Speaker #3
I'm Solomon Reed, and I'm a storyteller. Would you mind if I stood in front of the shop this afternoon? I'd like to tell a story appropriate for all ages to whoever wants to listen.
Speaker #4
Um... well...
Speaker #1
Mira was taken off guard, glancing toward the bookstore.
Speaker #4
I don't actually own the bakery, but there's already a story going on at the bookstore today.
Speaker #1
I've got a great spot,
Speaker #2
Solomon. I'm Nathaniel, and this is Mira.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel and Mira... put out their hands to shake Solomon's. Mira noticed the gentle strength that Solomon carried as he greeted her.
Speaker #2
You can stand in front of my woodshop and share your story there. Would 2 p.m. work? Grandma Eden will be done reading her story to the children by then.
Speaker #1
Solomon smiled.
Speaker #3
Of course. Two works great. In the meantime, it's nice to meet you both. I'll be back soon.
Speaker #1
And just like that, he departed. Solomon left behind a wonder and expectation that something exciting was coming and that he was the one to deliver. The hours went by fairly quickly with a steady stream of customers. Mira noticed she enjoyed working again and the distraction helped get out of her own head. True to his word, Solomon the storyteller showed up right at two to meet Nathaniel outside of the bakery. Hi there,
Speaker #2
Solomon. Ready for your story? Because I am.
Speaker #3
I sure am. Thank you for letting me do this. I'm a complete stranger. This means a lot to me.
Speaker #2
Something in me tells me I can trust you. So follow me and let's get started. We're just going across the street to Ember and Oak, my woodshop.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel led the way with Solomon by his side. Nathaniel could see quiet curiosity in his face and noticed the way his shoulders relaxed with each step toward his studio. The wood shop was a humble place, nestled on the corner, just across the street from the bakery, feeling peaceful and close enough to be seen by the whole town. The front of the shop had a small wooden awning, which Nathaniel had built himself. When they reached the edge of Nathaniel's shop, he paused, turning to Solomon.
Speaker #2
Here's the spot. Will this work?
Speaker #1
Nathaniel gestured to the area in front of his shop.
Speaker #2
There's enough room for you and the sound of your voice will carry.
Speaker #1
I will tell you how I know that another time, and if you need a place to sit, you can sit on this bench. Solomon looked around, nodding thoughtfully. He ran his hand along the edge of the bench, the smooth wood feeling familiar under his fingertips.
Speaker #3
It's a good spot. I can already feel the stories waiting to be shared here.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel smiled, noticing how the storyteller's words seemed to come alive, even in the quietness of the moment.
Speaker #2
You and I have something in common. I try to tell stories through the wood I craft, and I've always believed that stories have a way of making a place feel more alive.
Speaker #1
Solomon's eyes lit up. He stepped forward. letting his hand rest on the wooden post that framed the doorway.
Speaker #3
Well, that is really awesome, Nathaniel. Yes, we do have that in common. Maybe this town needs to go deeper with familiar stories. That's what I do. I take a story we all know and look at it from a different perspective. And it sounds like you do that with wood. Very cool, Nathaniel.
Speaker #1
His voice was thick with meaning.
Speaker #3
It's time to share them here.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel nodded, appreciating the weight of Solomon's words.
Speaker #2
I can't wait to hear your stories, Solomon. What a gift you're bringing to our small town.
Speaker #1
He gestured to the ground, where the sidewalk led to the space between the shop and the street.
Speaker #2
You can stand right here, and the people will hear you. Trust me. If you need anything, just let me know.
Speaker #1
Solomon looked down at the ground, taking in the quiet hum of Promise Hill. Then he turned back to Nathaniel with a smile.
Speaker #3
I don't need a thing. I'll begin soon. I'll need a moment to gather my thoughts.
Speaker #2
Take your time.
Speaker #1
Nathaniel responded, giving him the space to settle.
Speaker #2
And when you're ready, just let your words flow.
Speaker #1
As Solomon set down his satchel and began to prepare, Nathaniel stood nearby, watching him thoughtfully. There was something about this man that felt right, like he was meant to be here. bringing something the town didn't even know it needed. Mira, having finished her shift at the bakery, joined them outside just in time to see Solomon pulling out a small leather-bound notebook. He flipped it open and scanned through a few pages, as though searching for just the right beginning. She also noticed a big black book that matched Grandma Eden's. Nathaniel turned to Mira, his voice low.
Speaker #2
I think Promise Hill is about... to receive a gift.
Speaker #1
Mira smiled. Her curiosity peaked.
Speaker #4
I think so too.
Speaker #1
As Mira stood next to Nathaniel, other people noticed and wanted to see what was going on. One of the perks of being in a small town, people started coming in from all directions. Nathaniel waved over the people walking by while Mira yelled,
Speaker #4
Come listen to Solomon the storyteller.
Speaker #1
As Solomon took a deep breath and looked out at the crowd that was forming, The stage was set, Solomon was ready, and Nathaniel could already feel the people leaning in to listen. Solomon's voice gathered strength as he started the story.
Speaker #3
I didn't know colors. I couldn't describe the blue of the sky or the golden hues of the sun. People tried to explain them to me when I was a child, but all I knew was darkness. I was born blind. Every day I sat near the temple, begging. Not because I wanted to, but because it was the only way I could survive. My brothers dropped me off at the same place day after day. People whispered when they passed. Some said my blindness was punishment for sin. Maybe mine. Maybe my parents. As if my darkness was deserved. But I leaned in to listen deeply. I could tell what kind of person someone was by the sound of their steps. Heavy. Hurried. Ashamed. Proud. Some voices passed in judgment. Others dropped a coin with a whisper of pity. I had no name to most, just that blind man. Then one day I heard a different kind of voice, calm, certain. There was movement around him, people pressing in asking questions. One of them asked about me. Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? I braced myself for more condemnation, but the man's answer surprised me. Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. No one had ever said my life had purpose before. Then I felt someone kneel close to me. There was silence for a moment, then a strange sound. Spitting. I flinched at first, then gentle fingers smeared something smooth and cool over my eyes. Mud. He told me to go wash in the pool of Siloam. He didn't promise anything, just told me to go. A few people helped guide me to the pool. I stumbled. I slipped. But I got there. And when the water touched my eyes and the mud washed away, I saw. I saw the world. Light burst in like fire and music. I saw faces, colors, reflections. I laughed. I cried. I ran. People didn't believe it was me. Some argued I wasn't the same man, but I kept saying, I am the man. I told them what he did. Some still refused to see. Later that day, he found me again. He looked into my new eyes with a gaze deeper than sight. Do you believe in the Son of Man? He asked. Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe. You have now seen him, he said. In fact, he is the one speaking with you, and I believed. I dropped to my knees and worshipped him. I once lived in darkness, not just in my eyes, but in my soul. But now I know what light is, not just sunlight, but the light of the world. My name no longer matters. What matters is this. I was blind, and now I see.
Speaker #1
The crowd was awestruck and erupted in cheers, tears, and a thunder of clapping. Mira could hear murmuring of how incredible the story was and how it touched their hearts. Tears were trickling down many of their faces. Solomon, the storyteller, began to blush and said,
Speaker #3
Thank you for sharing your time with me. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He gave me that story for you today. It is taken from the Bible, but I put my own spin on it so you could hear it in a new way. Someone here needed to see from that perspective because you have been blind and wanting so much to see. Jesus wants you to see the light. May the darkness leave you and truth settle in. There will be a few more stories over the next few weeks, and you all are welcome back. Bless all of you.
Speaker #1
The crowd again erupted in applause and thanked him for his story. When some began to disperse, Nathaniel approached Solomon. You have a place to stay? Solomon nodded his head.
Speaker #3
I have a trailer in the woods I have already set up. I could use a hot shower, though. Would that be okay?
Speaker #2
Of course. Anytime. Here's my cell. I'm here to help. After your shower, let me treat you to a hot meal down at the cafe,
Speaker #1
and then I can drop you off at your place if you need a ride. Solomon smiled and exchanged numbers with Nathaniel.
Speaker #3
That would be great. You know, Nathaniel, you're an answer to prayer. God told me he would take care of the details of where I would sleep and where I would be fed, as well as bringing listeners to hear my stories. Know that you are in God's plans for my visit. I'll be back shortly after I gather some things.
Speaker #1
Solomon looked around and caught Grandma Eden's eyes. After she finished reading her new children's book at the Lantern Bookstore, she listened to Solomon's story, standing in the back of the crowd. She gave him a nod and then quickly left. He wondered when he would see her next. He took a deep breath in and knew he would stay for a while. This is a place he needed to be. God had an assignment for him. He just did not know who it was for. But at the same time, he knew one of his assignments was to fix what he broke. Mira walked up to Solomon before she left.
Speaker #4
Thank you, Solomon, for such a great story. You're really gifted. I look forward to hearing more. Off-topic question. I couldn't help but notice your black book. Where did you get it?
Speaker #1
Ah,
Speaker #3
my Bible. A dear friend from long ago gave it to me when I didn't know how much I needed it.
Speaker #1
In that moment, other people pressed in to talk to Solomon. Mira smiled and headed home exhausted from being on her feet all day. Her thoughts began to bubble up.
Speaker #4
A Bible. Just like Grandma Eden's. And like the one in my flashback after I met Grandma Eden for the first time. Mama gave me hers, which has just been sitting on my bookshelf. It feels like it's time to open it up.
Speaker #1
Her heart felt a new kind of hope, but she wasn't sure why. She also thought deeply about the story. A blind man being healed sounded vaguely familiar. 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. When she picked up the envelope, she noticed there was something else inside. A small card that read,
Speaker #4
Planted, not buried.
Speaker #1
Beneath the writing was a small hand-drawn symbol. A seed in the shape of a heart cradled in the roots of a blooming flower. Mira traced the edges of the card with her fingertip, her eyes damp. Whatever this was, it wasn't just encouragement. It was a new type of a beginning. Somehow, through an old story with new lenses and a single flower, something new had started to shift inside her. And maybe that was the beginning of seeing things in a new way. As she set the card down, the phone rang.
Speaker #4
Hello, Mama. It's so good to hear from you. How are you?
Speaker #5
Mira, I'm ready to talk to you about the papers you found in the attic a few weeks back. Will you come visit me on Wednesday?
Speaker #4
Of course, Mama. I'll see you then. I love you.
Speaker #5
I love you more than you know. And don't talk to the lady just yet. I was wrong, really wrong. Oh, Mira. Will you help me find my blue bird?
Speaker #4
Wait, what lady, Mama?
Speaker #1
But Ruth hung up the phone. And just like that, another thread was woven into the quiet tapestry of Promise Hill, a place where a new story interrupted an ordinary day, kindness was an answered prayer, and Mira's story is unfolding even more. Take it away, Kimberlee.
Speaker #0
What happened in Promise Hill that Saturday wasn't random. It was orchestrated by God. Ordinary moments turned into holy ground because people made space, paid attention, and responded to what God was doing right in front of them. That's usually how transformation starts. Not in grand gestures, but in small, intentional choices. As we step back from the story, we can identify some clear patterns that we can apply to our own lives. I know I told you I was going to try to stick to three reflections, but there's too much to gloss over today. So I have five reflections and three action steps. Number one, our pain may hold a hidden purpose. Hear it and hold it. But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9 verse 3. The blind man's condition wasn't a punishment. It was a platform. Sometimes what feels like punishment or injustice is preparation for a testimony. God may allow brokenness to become a beacon of his power and grace. Let that sink in. Sometimes what feels like injustice or punishment can turn into a testimony. What a beautiful, beautiful thought. It's not so easy when you're going through it. But once you get to the other side, it can be pretty amazing. Number two, God often works through what seems strange or uncomfortable. Hear it and hold it. John 9 verse 6 says, After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. Healing came through a very, very unusual act. God's methods may not make sense to us all the time, but they are never without meaning. Sometimes his miracles begin in the mud. Number three, obedience precedes transformation. Hear it and hold it. John 9 verse 7. Go, he told him, wash in the pool of Siloam. So the man went and washed and came home singing. The man didn't know what would happen, but he went. Faith is often revealed in the willingness to act without full understanding. We experience change when we trust enough to move. I have to share a quick story with this one. I was at a evangelist healing kind of thing with my aunts many, many years ago. And the pastor called. Anybody that needed healing and a man came forward and said, my back, something's wrong with my back. And the pastor said, lay on the ground face down. So the guy did. And the pastor said, Said, I feel the Lord telling me to stomp on your, or step on your back, not stomp, step on your back. So the guy's like, okay. And I remember just, oh my gosh, I was just terrified for this guy that would make it worse. But anyway, the pastor took his shoes off, stepped on this man's back as he was praying and, you know, calling out healing. And he got off the man's back. The guy got up and was healed. He was healed. And so God really does work in mysterious ways at times. So I don't, obviously, when you're a healing evangelist, you hear from the Lord and do what he says to do, not what you think you should do. So Jesus saw and heard what the Lord told him to do, and he did it. And same with this pastor I saw. So anyway, just reminded me of that story. Number four, people won't always recognize your transformation. Hear it and hold it. John 9 verse 8. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg? Transformation can be so radical, even those closest to us may struggle to believe it. But it's not their recognition that defines us. It's God's restoration. How many times have you looked back over your life looking at you know, 10 years ago, and because of the work that the Lord has done in your life, look at yourself and be like, wow, I don't even recognize that person anymore. Because so much has happened in your own life that the transformation is just undeniable. All right, last one, number five, true vision is seeing Jesus for who he is. Hear it and hold it. John 9, verse 38. Then the man said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him. Physical healing was only the beginning. Spiritual sight was the true miracle. Knowing Jesus not only changes our sight, it changes our soul. Next, let's move into action steps that you can use. Take one, take none. They're just helpful tools for all of us to engage in so that we can connect closer to the Lord. So number one, say yes to divine appointments. Be willing to respond when unexpected opportunities show up. Nathaniel didn't plan an event. He simply said yes when Solomon appeared. God often brings key people into our path that unlocks new growth. Transformation happens when we stop brushing those moments off as coincidences. So how to start this week, pay attention to interruption moments before saying no out of habit. If you're like me, pause and ask, could this be a divine appointment and see what you hear from the Lord? Ask the Lord if you should say yes to these situations that come up. Number two, re-engage familiar truth with fresh eyes. Revisit scripture. or a story you know well, but study it from a new angle. Solomon took John 9 and made the crowd feel it again. Transformation happens when the word moves from information to encounter. How to start? Choose a passage you've read many times. Read it slowly, imagining yourself as a different character. Be in the scene. Journal what shifts in you when you do. Then, Try this with the situation you are struggling with. Try to put yourself in another person's shoes to see from their eyes. Then observe if that helps you try to understand their position. Maybe you need to put a boundary down. Or maybe you need to pursue reconciliation. Number three, nurture the seed. Don't rush the bloom. Commit to tending the slow work God has begun rather than demanding instant change. How funny, just yesterday I was out spending time with the Lord in my backyard and he was explaining to me that there's a season for everything and I have some grapefruits growing on my tree and he reminded me that a grapefruit starts so small and it takes time for it to get to the place of being able to be picked and eaten. And if you ate it too soon, it's just not going to taste good. It's going to be worthless. So just remember that, that it is So important for the Lord to allow the Lord to grow in you what needs to be grown so that you can release what he's been building in you when the time is right. Why this matters. Mira's card said planted, not buried. So God's work often starts beneath the surface. Transformation grows through faithful tending, not frantic striving. So how to start. Choose one spiritual practice like prayer, scripture meditation, serving, journaling, and tend to it consistently for the next month, trusting that roots are growing even when you can't see them. Let me pray for you, just you, wherever you are, friend. Jesus, thank you for the one listening right now. You see their weariness and the quiet ache they don't have words for. I know you meet us in the ordinary and you are always present. I ask for the gift of others to help the listeners who need support, like Mira's generous time and like Nathaniel with his helpful heart. I ask you to touch the dim places in these listeners' hearts to give light, revelation, or breakthrough, and to wash away shame, fear, and hurry and help them see you clearly again. I ask for protection for every seed you've planted in their hearts. Remind them that they are planted and not buried, for you have plans for them. When it feels quiet or they feel unseen, may they feel the whisper that your work is still alive beneath the surface. In your holy and mighty name, Jesus. Amen. Listener, may you feel deeply seen and deeply loved by our dear Jesus. Friends, may you find peace in the presence and hope on the hilltop. Until next time, this is Kimberlee Herman cheering you on from Promise Hill.

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