1 00:00:08,257 --> 00:00:09,057 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:11,137 --> 00:00:14,377 Speaker 2: Join us in celebrating an incredible milestone as the beloved 3 00:00:14,457 --> 00:00:18,457 Speaker 2: Jesus Calling brand reaches fifty million lives impacted. As we 4 00:00:18,497 --> 00:00:21,576 Speaker 2: honor the legacy of author Sarah Young, we reflect on 5 00:00:21,616 --> 00:00:26,816 Speaker 2: the stories from celebrities, pastors, authors, actors, singers, athletes, scholars, 6 00:00:26,857 --> 00:00:30,377 Speaker 2: and everyday people who have been inspired by her devotional writings. 7 00:00:30,657 --> 00:00:32,857 Speaker 2: To join in the celebration and to hear some of 8 00:00:32,897 --> 00:00:35,336 Speaker 2: the stories of people whose faith journeys have been impacted 9 00:00:35,337 --> 00:00:37,816 Speaker 2: by all the writings of Sarah Young, head over to 10 00:00:37,897 --> 00:00:42,376 Speaker 2: Jesus Calling dot com. 11 00:00:42,457 --> 00:00:44,776 Speaker 3: You know there's so many ways to serve and that 12 00:00:44,857 --> 00:00:47,217 Speaker 3: it doesn't have to be big, it can be little. 13 00:00:47,656 --> 00:00:50,297 Speaker 3: It doesn't have to cost a lot to serve somebody. But 14 00:00:50,336 --> 00:00:53,016 Speaker 3: I think one of the greatest ways to serve somebody 15 00:00:53,057 --> 00:00:56,577 Speaker 3: is really just to be present with them, to show 16 00:00:56,697 --> 00:00:59,856 Speaker 3: up and let them know that you see them. 17 00:01:00,297 --> 00:01:03,297 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. What starts as a 18 00:01:03,337 --> 00:01:06,457 Speaker 2: single yes can influence a lifetime. In this episode, we 19 00:01:06,497 --> 00:01:09,777 Speaker 2: speak with Tennessee's First Lady, Maria Lee, who shares how 20 00:01:09,777 --> 00:01:12,937 Speaker 2: a short summer of ministry in Nashville turned the trajectory 21 00:01:12,977 --> 00:01:15,457 Speaker 2: of her life from teaching in a classroom to serving 22 00:01:15,497 --> 00:01:18,497 Speaker 2: alongside her husband in public life, and taught her that 23 00:01:18,577 --> 00:01:22,497 Speaker 2: true impact often comes from simply showing up and seeing others. 24 00:01:23,217 --> 00:01:26,257 Speaker 2: Speaker and radio personality Brooke Taylor's story takes a different 25 00:01:26,257 --> 00:01:29,777 Speaker 2: turn when a sudden stroke changes everything, forcing her to 26 00:01:29,817 --> 00:01:32,697 Speaker 2: relearn how to live and let go of perfection, only 27 00:01:32,737 --> 00:01:35,137 Speaker 2: to discover that God could use her brokenness to reach 28 00:01:35,177 --> 00:01:38,977 Speaker 2: people in a deeper, more meaningful way. Together, their stories 29 00:01:39,017 --> 00:01:42,337 Speaker 2: reveal a powerful truth. Even in the most unplanned moments, 30 00:01:42,577 --> 00:01:46,657 Speaker 2: God is guiding us with compassion toward connection. Let's begin 31 00:01:46,737 --> 00:01:56,377 Speaker 2: with Maria Lee. 32 00:01:56,657 --> 00:01:59,897 Speaker 3: My name is Maria Lee. I'm the first Lady of Tennessee, 33 00:02:00,537 --> 00:02:05,217 Speaker 3: married to the Governor Bill. There is no job to 34 00:02:05,257 --> 00:02:09,417 Speaker 3: disc for a first lady. You can really kind of 35 00:02:09,417 --> 00:02:12,537 Speaker 3: make it whatever you want, and so my days look 36 00:02:12,577 --> 00:02:15,216 Speaker 3: a lot different from day to day. But I take 37 00:02:15,297 --> 00:02:17,337 Speaker 3: it as a great honor to be able first and 38 00:02:17,377 --> 00:02:20,937 Speaker 3: foremost to be a support to my husband. We are 39 00:02:21,297 --> 00:02:23,697 Speaker 3: thrilled and humbled to be able to serve our state 40 00:02:23,777 --> 00:02:29,017 Speaker 3: and serve the people we love here. I grew up 41 00:02:29,097 --> 00:02:33,377 Speaker 3: in a suburb of Washington, d C. Silver Spring, Maryland, 42 00:02:33,817 --> 00:02:36,577 Speaker 3: and where I lived with my four siblings, and my parents, 43 00:02:37,337 --> 00:02:40,657 Speaker 3: and I really didn't know what I wanted to do 44 00:02:41,337 --> 00:02:43,017 Speaker 3: when I grew up. I didn't have a lot of dreams. 45 00:02:43,057 --> 00:02:45,776 Speaker 3: As kids. We just had fun playing in the neighborhood, 46 00:02:45,897 --> 00:02:46,457 Speaker 3: running around. 47 00:02:46,537 --> 00:02:47,577 Speaker 1: I was a tomboy. 48 00:02:48,137 --> 00:02:51,137 Speaker 3: My brother and I would just run through the neighborhood, 49 00:02:51,297 --> 00:02:55,337 Speaker 3: play football backyard of a neighbor and we just had 50 00:02:55,697 --> 00:02:57,657 Speaker 3: took day to day, you know, had a fun time. 51 00:02:58,057 --> 00:03:01,297 Speaker 3: But as I got older and then hit high school, 52 00:03:01,737 --> 00:03:04,097 Speaker 3: and then suddenly was confronted with what are you going 53 00:03:04,177 --> 00:03:05,496 Speaker 3: to do? Go to college? What are you going to 54 00:03:05,537 --> 00:03:08,257 Speaker 3: I knew go to work. I knew that if I 55 00:03:08,497 --> 00:03:11,297 Speaker 3: were to go to college, I would have to pay 56 00:03:11,297 --> 00:03:12,897 Speaker 3: for it because my parents weren't going to be able 57 00:03:12,937 --> 00:03:16,137 Speaker 3: to afford it. And it wasn't until my spring semester 58 00:03:16,257 --> 00:03:18,857 Speaker 3: of my senior year in high school. I was vacuuming 59 00:03:18,897 --> 00:03:21,697 Speaker 3: in the living room and my mom always had on 60 00:03:22,337 --> 00:03:27,337 Speaker 3: Family Radio, and there was a pitch for people to 61 00:03:27,377 --> 00:03:30,617 Speaker 3: come teach missionaries kids so that their kids wouldn't have 62 00:03:30,697 --> 00:03:32,497 Speaker 3: to be sent off to a boarding school while out 63 00:03:32,497 --> 00:03:35,697 Speaker 3: on the mission field. And I just thought, well, gosh, 64 00:03:35,737 --> 00:03:38,737 Speaker 3: that'd be awesome. I could serve the Lord, I could 65 00:03:38,817 --> 00:03:42,657 Speaker 3: go see the world. I like kids, so I thought, well, 66 00:03:42,697 --> 00:03:45,137 Speaker 3: maybe that's what I could do. But then I realized, well, 67 00:03:45,137 --> 00:03:46,897 Speaker 3: I got to find a job because I'm gonna have 68 00:03:46,897 --> 00:03:52,817 Speaker 3: to pay for school. And the Lord just graciously worked 69 00:03:52,897 --> 00:03:55,617 Speaker 3: that all out. My neighbor across the street had recently 70 00:03:55,817 --> 00:03:58,857 Speaker 3: gotten a new job and she said they needed help 71 00:03:58,897 --> 00:04:00,777 Speaker 3: in the office she worked at at the FDA, and 72 00:04:00,817 --> 00:04:05,137 Speaker 3: would I be interested? And I thought, well, yeah, I'd 73 00:04:05,137 --> 00:04:08,817 Speaker 3: love that. So I got that job, and then they 74 00:04:08,977 --> 00:04:12,777 Speaker 3: worked with me in my school schedule so that I 75 00:04:12,857 --> 00:04:16,697 Speaker 3: could have classes on either Monday, Wednesday Friday and work 76 00:04:16,736 --> 00:04:20,696 Speaker 3: Tuesday Thursdays, or vice versa. So the Lord just lined 77 00:04:20,736 --> 00:04:23,056 Speaker 3: it all up in a way that I never could 78 00:04:23,056 --> 00:04:27,816 Speaker 3: have imagined and ended up getting an elementary ed degree. 79 00:04:28,856 --> 00:04:32,337 Speaker 3: So after I graduated, an old youth pastor of mine 80 00:04:32,936 --> 00:04:36,856 Speaker 3: had moved to Tennessee, probably two years before I graduated 81 00:04:36,897 --> 00:04:42,176 Speaker 3: from college, and he called back and said, would love 82 00:04:42,176 --> 00:04:44,896 Speaker 3: for you to come down do youth ministry for a 83 00:04:44,897 --> 00:04:48,696 Speaker 3: middle school and high school girls for the summer. You know, 84 00:04:48,777 --> 00:04:51,856 Speaker 3: sometimes I think the Lord doesn't give you all the 85 00:04:51,897 --> 00:04:54,897 Speaker 3: information and all the details because then you may go 86 00:04:55,296 --> 00:04:57,657 Speaker 3: not for me. I think if the Lord had said 87 00:04:57,697 --> 00:05:00,416 Speaker 3: You're going to go to Nashville and never return. I 88 00:05:00,496 --> 00:05:02,537 Speaker 3: probably been like, no, I'm not doing that. But this 89 00:05:02,657 --> 00:05:05,777 Speaker 3: was for a summer for summer youth group, and and 90 00:05:06,056 --> 00:05:09,657 Speaker 3: I thought I can do that. So I packed up 91 00:05:09,657 --> 00:05:14,736 Speaker 3: my little Nissan CenTra and drove to Nashville and did 92 00:05:14,856 --> 00:05:18,257 Speaker 3: discipleship for middle school and high school girls at youth 93 00:05:18,296 --> 00:05:21,897 Speaker 3: group at Christ Prebyterian Church. And what was supposed to 94 00:05:21,897 --> 00:05:28,577 Speaker 3: be a summer has now turned into thirty two years. 95 00:05:30,017 --> 00:05:33,897 Speaker 3: I had gone into teaching and taught at Christ Presbyterian Academy, 96 00:05:34,097 --> 00:05:37,376 Speaker 3: and that's where I met Bill. I was a coach 97 00:05:37,457 --> 00:05:40,697 Speaker 3: for track and cross country and his daughter was running 98 00:05:41,017 --> 00:05:43,657 Speaker 3: on the teens and so I would see him here 99 00:05:43,736 --> 00:05:47,257 Speaker 3: and there during track meets and cross country meets. And 100 00:05:47,296 --> 00:05:51,377 Speaker 3: then I had one of his twin boys in third grade, 101 00:05:51,416 --> 00:05:53,736 Speaker 3: and I remember he and his late wife coming in 102 00:05:53,777 --> 00:05:57,376 Speaker 3: and sitting down for a parent teacher conference. And that 103 00:05:57,577 --> 00:06:01,617 Speaker 3: year his son, Caleb, and I just had a sweet 104 00:06:01,616 --> 00:06:04,856 Speaker 3: little bond. A third grader in his teacher and we 105 00:06:04,976 --> 00:06:07,736 Speaker 3: just connected. So they had me out to the house 106 00:06:07,777 --> 00:06:09,217 Speaker 3: for dinner and that kind of thing. And then I 107 00:06:09,257 --> 00:06:13,176 Speaker 3: started watching their kids when they would go away, and 108 00:06:13,217 --> 00:06:15,616 Speaker 3: then at the end of that year, his wife was 109 00:06:15,657 --> 00:06:19,457 Speaker 3: in an accident was tragically killed on the farm. And 110 00:06:19,537 --> 00:06:22,097 Speaker 3: so from there, because of the connection I had with 111 00:06:22,176 --> 00:06:25,097 Speaker 3: Caleb in third grade, I started hanging out with him 112 00:06:25,176 --> 00:06:29,337 Speaker 3: and his twin brother, and then that fall a position 113 00:06:29,416 --> 00:06:31,296 Speaker 3: opened up to teach fourth grade, so I moved up 114 00:06:31,337 --> 00:06:33,777 Speaker 3: to fourth grade and had both the boys, and that 115 00:06:33,856 --> 00:06:38,376 Speaker 3: really started a relationship between Bill and Ikaren for those boys, 116 00:06:38,856 --> 00:06:42,537 Speaker 3: and that kind of propelled a relationship between he and 117 00:06:42,616 --> 00:06:45,657 Speaker 3: I as a friendship. But it wasn't until seven years 118 00:06:45,736 --> 00:06:47,777 Speaker 3: later that we really started dating, and then a year 119 00:06:47,816 --> 00:06:52,856 Speaker 3: after that we got married. After Bill and I married, 120 00:06:53,376 --> 00:06:56,736 Speaker 3: we did some service things with missions, and it was 121 00:06:56,816 --> 00:07:00,736 Speaker 3: probably about nine years later that we really started thinking 122 00:07:00,777 --> 00:07:03,737 Speaker 3: through what would it look like to be in politics. 123 00:07:04,056 --> 00:07:08,616 Speaker 3: He had had some inclinations of that prior for years before, 124 00:07:08,657 --> 00:07:11,497 Speaker 3: but he always felt like the timing wasn't right, and 125 00:07:11,617 --> 00:07:15,977 Speaker 3: so in twenty fifteen we started praying about whether or 126 00:07:16,017 --> 00:07:18,297 Speaker 3: not it was something we needed to do. We prayed 127 00:07:18,297 --> 00:07:20,537 Speaker 3: a whole year about it, and I remember in the 128 00:07:20,537 --> 00:07:22,337 Speaker 3: middle of the year he was like, I don't think 129 00:07:22,337 --> 00:07:23,576 Speaker 3: we're going to do it. I don't feel like the 130 00:07:23,617 --> 00:07:26,057 Speaker 3: Lord's calling me to do that. But I'm going to 131 00:07:26,137 --> 00:07:29,457 Speaker 3: keep praying. So he kept praying. I kept praying. By 132 00:07:29,617 --> 00:07:33,497 Speaker 3: the time October rolled around, he was like, I think 133 00:07:33,537 --> 00:07:38,937 Speaker 3: I might be really being called to be in politics 134 00:07:39,737 --> 00:07:44,777 Speaker 3: and specifically governor. And I was like, okay, And we 135 00:07:45,177 --> 00:07:47,897 Speaker 3: just happened to be on a RV taking a trip 136 00:07:47,937 --> 00:07:51,697 Speaker 3: in New England. He said, I just need to know 137 00:07:51,737 --> 00:07:53,817 Speaker 3: that you're in and whether or not you think you 138 00:07:53,857 --> 00:07:56,977 Speaker 3: can do this, and I said, I think I can 139 00:07:57,017 --> 00:07:59,697 Speaker 3: do it. I think it'll be worth it, and I'm 140 00:07:59,777 --> 00:08:03,097 Speaker 3: up for it. And then in November he was in 141 00:08:03,137 --> 00:08:05,777 Speaker 3: the middle of reading my utmost for his highest and 142 00:08:05,816 --> 00:08:09,136 Speaker 3: really knew then on the particular day in November that 143 00:08:09,257 --> 00:08:13,336 Speaker 3: the Lord said, you're supposed to run. And so after 144 00:08:13,377 --> 00:08:17,217 Speaker 3: that we made the decision to run and started our 145 00:08:17,297 --> 00:08:20,857 Speaker 3: journey on to campaigning and meeting people and seeing how 146 00:08:20,937 --> 00:08:23,537 Speaker 3: viable it was for us to be able to pull 147 00:08:23,577 --> 00:08:26,816 Speaker 3: this off. And never in a million years thought it 148 00:08:26,816 --> 00:08:30,017 Speaker 3: would actually work. We were running from behind the whole time, 149 00:08:30,137 --> 00:08:33,657 Speaker 3: but the Lord had other plans. Having never been in 150 00:08:33,697 --> 00:08:37,097 Speaker 3: the public eye, we had no idea what to expect. 151 00:08:37,217 --> 00:08:40,017 Speaker 3: I certainly did not know what that would look like. 152 00:08:40,137 --> 00:08:42,857 Speaker 3: And while there have been some wonderful times and we've 153 00:08:42,857 --> 00:08:46,737 Speaker 3: had great experiences in this role. There have definitely been 154 00:08:46,777 --> 00:08:50,057 Speaker 3: some trying times, even just after a year of getting 155 00:08:50,137 --> 00:08:56,537 Speaker 3: in and COVID hitting and tornadoes and multiple natural disasters 156 00:08:56,617 --> 00:09:01,657 Speaker 3: throughout and then sadly the Covenant shooting and just a 157 00:09:01,737 --> 00:09:04,737 Speaker 3: myriad of different things my sickness that we had to 158 00:09:04,777 --> 00:09:08,577 Speaker 3: contend with the hardest part, I think with being in 159 00:09:08,617 --> 00:09:11,297 Speaker 3: the public eye is the criticism that comes along with that, 160 00:09:11,937 --> 00:09:14,177 Speaker 3: and so you have to navigate through that and know 161 00:09:14,777 --> 00:09:18,617 Speaker 3: how to handle that. But the thing that has grounded 162 00:09:18,657 --> 00:09:21,697 Speaker 3: me and being able to handle being in that public 163 00:09:21,697 --> 00:09:28,737 Speaker 3: eye is staying in God's word and knowing what He's 164 00:09:28,777 --> 00:09:31,617 Speaker 3: called me to do and being able to walk that 165 00:09:31,737 --> 00:09:37,577 Speaker 3: through purposefully and intentionally. In His word reminds me of 166 00:09:37,937 --> 00:09:40,897 Speaker 3: who I am and who he is, what he values, 167 00:09:40,977 --> 00:09:44,377 Speaker 3: and what he wants me to value, and that really 168 00:09:44,417 --> 00:09:47,817 Speaker 3: has kept me grounded. Surrounding myself with a team that 169 00:09:47,857 --> 00:09:52,297 Speaker 3: I have who are all like minded women who have 170 00:09:52,417 --> 00:09:55,497 Speaker 3: the same goal in mind for the initiative that I 171 00:09:55,577 --> 00:09:58,857 Speaker 3: have in serving our state and the people. That's kept 172 00:09:58,897 --> 00:10:01,977 Speaker 3: me grounded. It keeps us on the same path and 173 00:10:02,657 --> 00:10:06,817 Speaker 3: keeps each other in check. I think that there's some 174 00:10:06,977 --> 00:10:10,217 Speaker 3: expectations sometimes when you're in the public eye. I think 175 00:10:10,297 --> 00:10:13,337 Speaker 3: that there's a lot of bright, shiny things in the 176 00:10:13,377 --> 00:10:16,857 Speaker 3: world that draw our attention away from what the Lord 177 00:10:16,897 --> 00:10:20,577 Speaker 3: has called us to And if we're not grounded in 178 00:10:21,217 --> 00:10:25,497 Speaker 3: daily communion with Him, in daily relationship with Him, you 179 00:10:25,537 --> 00:10:28,377 Speaker 3: can easily be distracted. You know, the world draws us 180 00:10:28,457 --> 00:10:31,657 Speaker 3: away and wants to tell us how to use our 181 00:10:31,697 --> 00:10:35,937 Speaker 3: time and what success looks like and what is important. 182 00:10:36,297 --> 00:10:39,537 Speaker 3: But staying grounded in God's word on a daily basis 183 00:10:40,497 --> 00:10:44,377 Speaker 3: keeps me focused on what He's called me to do 184 00:10:44,497 --> 00:10:48,497 Speaker 3: and what he values. It keeps me strengthened and encouraged 185 00:10:48,537 --> 00:10:55,937 Speaker 3: to continue doing what He's called me to do. From 186 00:10:55,977 --> 00:10:58,257 Speaker 3: a young age, I have had a heart for service. 187 00:10:59,217 --> 00:11:03,137 Speaker 3: I feel like growing up my parents, while they didn't 188 00:11:03,137 --> 00:11:06,897 Speaker 3: have a lot, they always found a way to serve. 189 00:11:07,137 --> 00:11:09,057 Speaker 3: My dad might serve at the church, or my mom 190 00:11:09,057 --> 00:11:12,896 Speaker 3: would serve at a pregnancy aid center, serve our neighbors 191 00:11:12,937 --> 00:11:15,857 Speaker 3: who might be needing attire changed on their car, or 192 00:11:15,857 --> 00:11:19,777 Speaker 3: an elderly neighbor who needs a meal or be driven 193 00:11:19,817 --> 00:11:22,537 Speaker 3: to the store. I always watched my parents doing things 194 00:11:22,577 --> 00:11:24,937 Speaker 3: like that. They even would take us with them and 195 00:11:25,257 --> 00:11:28,057 Speaker 3: bring us along. And I think just by their example 196 00:11:28,457 --> 00:11:31,137 Speaker 3: of how they live their lives, they instilled in us 197 00:11:31,377 --> 00:11:36,857 Speaker 3: an idea that Philippian says, to consider others more highly 198 00:11:36,897 --> 00:11:41,137 Speaker 3: than yourselves and think of the needs of others. When 199 00:11:41,457 --> 00:11:44,297 Speaker 3: I started thinking about what I was going to do 200 00:11:44,497 --> 00:11:47,257 Speaker 3: as first lady, I really didn't know what I wanted 201 00:11:47,297 --> 00:11:51,337 Speaker 3: to do. Necessarily, I didn't know I wanted to serve. 202 00:11:51,777 --> 00:11:54,057 Speaker 3: I feel like that's something that the Lord had instilled 203 00:11:54,057 --> 00:11:58,017 Speaker 3: in me from childhood and something that I thought, well, 204 00:11:58,137 --> 00:12:00,417 Speaker 3: i think i'm kind of good at serving, so I'll 205 00:12:00,417 --> 00:12:03,017 Speaker 3: do that. I just didn't know what that would look like. 206 00:12:03,377 --> 00:12:05,977 Speaker 3: And when I got a team around me after we 207 00:12:06,057 --> 00:12:09,897 Speaker 3: got into office and throughout to them, Hey, this is 208 00:12:09,897 --> 00:12:11,737 Speaker 3: what I'm thinking. I want to serve, but I don't 209 00:12:11,737 --> 00:12:15,377 Speaker 3: want to just narrow it down to just one group 210 00:12:15,417 --> 00:12:19,137 Speaker 3: of people. Focusing on a bunch of different groups of people. 211 00:12:19,457 --> 00:12:22,057 Speaker 3: My hope was that it would draw people and go, well, 212 00:12:22,097 --> 00:12:27,457 Speaker 3: I'm not a big proponent or don't necessarily connect with elderly, 213 00:12:28,057 --> 00:12:29,937 Speaker 3: but oh, I see that you're going to go work 214 00:12:29,937 --> 00:12:31,897 Speaker 3: with the homeless. I love to go work with the homeless, 215 00:12:31,897 --> 00:12:34,457 Speaker 3: and so I really kind of pulled people from all 216 00:12:34,497 --> 00:12:38,057 Speaker 3: walks of life to tap in and join us in 217 00:12:38,137 --> 00:12:42,937 Speaker 3: something that they might be passionate about. Starting the Tennessee 218 00:12:42,977 --> 00:12:45,417 Speaker 3: Service Project, that probably was one of my biggest hopes 219 00:12:45,497 --> 00:12:49,177 Speaker 3: was that it would inspire people to find something that 220 00:12:49,217 --> 00:12:51,977 Speaker 3: they're passionate about and join in and serve in their 221 00:12:51,977 --> 00:12:55,777 Speaker 3: own community. We look for people who are really in 222 00:12:55,977 --> 00:12:59,937 Speaker 3: more distressed areas of our state and look for the 223 00:12:59,937 --> 00:13:01,777 Speaker 3: needs there that we might be able to meet. So 224 00:13:02,337 --> 00:13:05,497 Speaker 3: oftentimes we'll come up with an idea project to go serve, 225 00:13:06,097 --> 00:13:09,857 Speaker 3: but many times we partner with nonprofits who are already 226 00:13:09,857 --> 00:13:12,177 Speaker 3: doing great work across our state to meet the needs 227 00:13:12,177 --> 00:13:15,137 Speaker 3: and communities in every county, and so we'll partner with 228 00:13:15,177 --> 00:13:19,657 Speaker 3: them and serve people in the different communities, highlight what 229 00:13:19,657 --> 00:13:23,657 Speaker 3: they're doing. And really our heart is to lead by 230 00:13:23,657 --> 00:13:28,497 Speaker 3: example serving others, but also that we might pull others 231 00:13:28,537 --> 00:13:33,657 Speaker 3: along with us and that they might have a desire 232 00:13:34,177 --> 00:13:38,017 Speaker 3: and be inspired to serve in their communities for something 233 00:13:38,057 --> 00:13:41,297 Speaker 3: that they're passionate about. And I think if we are 234 00:13:41,337 --> 00:13:45,537 Speaker 3: going to emulate the character of Christ, that's what he did. 235 00:13:46,057 --> 00:13:50,137 Speaker 3: He came not to be served, but to serve. And 236 00:13:50,177 --> 00:13:52,417 Speaker 3: if we're going to follow in his footsteps. I feel 237 00:13:52,457 --> 00:13:56,977 Speaker 3: like each one of us who is a believer and 238 00:13:57,057 --> 00:14:06,817 Speaker 3: confesses Christ should be finding a place to serve. Some 239 00:14:06,897 --> 00:14:10,737 Speaker 3: of the daily routines that I try to keep in 240 00:14:10,817 --> 00:14:14,617 Speaker 3: place are definitely spending time in the world each day 241 00:14:15,537 --> 00:14:19,657 Speaker 3: just being renewed in what God has called me to do, 242 00:14:19,777 --> 00:14:22,457 Speaker 3: being reminded of what He's called me to do, keeping 243 00:14:22,537 --> 00:14:26,097 Speaker 3: that as my focus, Meeting with my team and getting 244 00:14:26,097 --> 00:14:29,377 Speaker 3: on board and planning together what are we going to 245 00:14:29,737 --> 00:14:33,017 Speaker 3: focus on this month, next month, a couple of months 246 00:14:33,057 --> 00:14:36,337 Speaker 3: from now, and being intentional about how we can serve 247 00:14:36,377 --> 00:14:39,697 Speaker 3: the people in the areas that we're focusing on. Keeping 248 00:14:39,777 --> 00:14:43,777 Speaker 3: up with friends who keep me grounded and remind me 249 00:14:43,817 --> 00:14:47,097 Speaker 3: of who I am and encourage me and what I'm doing, 250 00:14:47,937 --> 00:14:50,897 Speaker 3: help me to stay on focus and intentional in the 251 00:14:50,937 --> 00:14:54,217 Speaker 3: purpose that God's called me to do in this season 252 00:14:54,257 --> 00:14:58,217 Speaker 3: of life right now. Sarah Young has been used by 253 00:14:58,257 --> 00:15:01,257 Speaker 3: the Lord to minister to so many people over so 254 00:15:01,377 --> 00:15:04,217 Speaker 3: many years. I happen to connect with one that was 255 00:15:04,297 --> 00:15:07,817 Speaker 3: called Dear Jesus, where she would write out her thoughts 256 00:15:08,457 --> 00:15:11,857 Speaker 3: of what she was going through and struggling with, but 257 00:15:11,977 --> 00:15:15,177 Speaker 3: then would be answered by what God would tell her 258 00:15:15,497 --> 00:15:19,857 Speaker 3: about herself, and that one in particular connected with me 259 00:15:20,337 --> 00:15:25,337 Speaker 3: very personally. This new one, Jesus Listens, I have no doubt, 260 00:15:25,377 --> 00:15:28,737 Speaker 3: will be just as impactful to the many readers that 261 00:15:28,777 --> 00:15:33,497 Speaker 3: will find it in their hands. One of the service 262 00:15:33,577 --> 00:15:36,457 Speaker 3: projects that we did in November was to go to 263 00:15:36,497 --> 00:15:39,817 Speaker 3: the women's prison where we serve them a Thanksgiving meal, 264 00:15:40,577 --> 00:15:43,817 Speaker 3: and one of the most beautiful parts in that whole 265 00:15:44,057 --> 00:15:47,697 Speaker 3: service project was the fact that we were able to 266 00:15:47,737 --> 00:15:52,377 Speaker 3: hand out over eight hundred Jesus Listens devotionals to each 267 00:15:52,417 --> 00:15:56,697 Speaker 3: one of the women, thanks to HarperCollins, who donated so 268 00:15:56,897 --> 00:16:02,497 Speaker 3: generously all of those devotionals. I really believe that those 269 00:16:02,577 --> 00:16:07,057 Speaker 3: ladies took those devotionals and went back to and read them. 270 00:16:07,177 --> 00:16:09,577 Speaker 3: They were so excited to get them. And I know 271 00:16:09,817 --> 00:16:13,137 Speaker 3: that the Lord is working even now in their hearts 272 00:16:13,137 --> 00:16:16,497 Speaker 3: and their minds to reveal himself to them through the 273 00:16:16,537 --> 00:16:23,377 Speaker 3: words of this devotional Jesus Listens. I would love to read. 274 00:16:23,617 --> 00:16:31,417 Speaker 3: An excerpt from Jesus Listens from January twenty fifth. Glorious Jesus, 275 00:16:31,737 --> 00:16:34,497 Speaker 3: I want to follow you wherever you lead. Help me 276 00:16:34,537 --> 00:16:39,017 Speaker 3: to chase after you wholeheartedly, with glad, anticipation, quickening my pace. 277 00:16:39,537 --> 00:16:42,177 Speaker 3: Though I don't know what, Liza ahead, you know, and 278 00:16:42,257 --> 00:16:45,097 Speaker 3: that is enough. I believe that some of your richest 279 00:16:45,137 --> 00:16:48,657 Speaker 3: blessings are just around the bend, out of sight, but 280 00:16:48,697 --> 00:16:52,977 Speaker 3: nonetheless very real. To receive these precious gifts, I need 281 00:16:52,977 --> 00:16:56,257 Speaker 3: to walk by faith, not by sight. I know this 282 00:16:56,337 --> 00:16:59,017 Speaker 3: doesn't mean closing my eyes to what is all around me. 283 00:16:59,577 --> 00:17:03,297 Speaker 3: It means subordinating the visible world to you, the invisible 284 00:17:03,297 --> 00:17:06,337 Speaker 3: shepherd of my soul. Sometimes you me up a high 285 00:17:06,417 --> 00:17:09,417 Speaker 3: mountain with only your hand to support me. The higher 286 00:17:09,456 --> 00:17:13,097 Speaker 3: I climb, the more spectacular the view becomes, and the 287 00:17:13,137 --> 00:17:15,976 Speaker 3: more keenly I sense my separation from the world with 288 00:17:16,017 --> 00:17:19,657 Speaker 3: all its problems. This frees me to experience more fully 289 00:17:19,737 --> 00:17:23,736 Speaker 3: the joyous reality of your brilliant presence. How I delight 290 00:17:23,817 --> 00:17:27,577 Speaker 3: in spending these glory moments with you. Eventually you lead 291 00:17:27,617 --> 00:17:30,496 Speaker 3: me down the mountain back into community with other people. 292 00:17:31,177 --> 00:17:33,817 Speaker 3: May the light of your presence continue to shine on 293 00:17:33,897 --> 00:17:36,537 Speaker 3: me and make me a blessing to others in your 294 00:17:36,537 --> 00:17:38,137 Speaker 3: majestic name. Amen. 295 00:17:40,217 --> 00:17:43,537 Speaker 2: To learn more about First Lady Maria Lee, visit TN 296 00:17:43,617 --> 00:17:47,217 Speaker 2: dot gov forward slash First Lady, stay tuned to Brooke 297 00:17:47,257 --> 00:17:58,377 Speaker 2: Taylor's story. After a brief message. Celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, 298 00:17:58,377 --> 00:18:00,857 Speaker 2: and mom figures in your life with the Jesus listens 299 00:18:00,857 --> 00:18:05,097 Speaker 2: for Mom's Prayer devotional I Beloved author Sarah Young. Inside, 300 00:18:05,137 --> 00:18:07,497 Speaker 2: you'll find fifty prayers that speak to the power of love, 301 00:18:07,817 --> 00:18:11,777 Speaker 2: the gift of strength, trusting God during challenging times, having courage, 302 00:18:11,897 --> 00:18:16,777 Speaker 2: and so much more. Accompanying the prayers are beautiful illustrations, scripture, verses, 303 00:18:16,977 --> 00:18:19,577 Speaker 2: and quotes that will uplift women of every age and 304 00:18:19,657 --> 00:18:22,897 Speaker 2: help them talk and walk more closely with Jesus, making 305 00:18:22,977 --> 00:18:25,936 Speaker 2: it the perfect gift for mothers days, birthdays and more. 306 00:18:26,337 --> 00:18:33,817 Speaker 2: Find it today at your favorite retailer. Our next guest 307 00:18:33,857 --> 00:18:36,297 Speaker 2: is Brooke Taylor, a Christian radio host for The Joy 308 00:18:36,377 --> 00:18:39,097 Speaker 2: ninety nine Morning who has spent more than three decades 309 00:18:39,177 --> 00:18:42,777 Speaker 2: encouraging listeners through her show. When an unexpected stroke altered 310 00:18:42,777 --> 00:18:45,016 Speaker 2: the course of her life, Brooke had to confront her 311 00:18:45,057 --> 00:18:48,097 Speaker 2: deepest fears about control, perfection, and weakness. 312 00:18:49,417 --> 00:18:53,057 Speaker 1: My name is Brooke Taylor, and I am I guess 313 00:18:53,057 --> 00:18:56,177 Speaker 1: what some people call a radio DJ. I think that 314 00:18:56,377 --> 00:18:59,497 Speaker 1: is one of those titles that you just don't really 315 00:18:59,537 --> 00:19:02,857 Speaker 1: go buy much anymore because we're not spinning the discs 316 00:19:02,897 --> 00:19:06,417 Speaker 1: like they used to. But I'm a radio personnel, I guess, 317 00:19:06,497 --> 00:19:09,697 Speaker 1: and I worked for Joy ninety nine. I have been 318 00:19:09,777 --> 00:19:18,777 Speaker 1: in radio for about thirty years. I'm one of three girls, 319 00:19:19,017 --> 00:19:22,817 Speaker 1: and my mom she didn't have any sisters, but she 320 00:19:22,977 --> 00:19:26,937 Speaker 1: had three girls. So throughout my life, we all kind 321 00:19:26,937 --> 00:19:30,097 Speaker 1: of became like the four girls, and we would find 322 00:19:30,177 --> 00:19:32,657 Speaker 1: through the years that we would talk about different books, 323 00:19:32,697 --> 00:19:34,897 Speaker 1: we would talk about different recipes, we would talk about 324 00:19:34,937 --> 00:19:38,257 Speaker 1: different things together. And I think it was my mom 325 00:19:38,377 --> 00:19:42,137 Speaker 1: who first gave me a book called Jesus Calling by 326 00:19:42,217 --> 00:19:44,976 Speaker 1: Sarah Young. She would always give us gifts on Mother's 327 00:19:45,057 --> 00:19:46,977 Speaker 1: Day because she said, I would not be a mother 328 00:19:47,257 --> 00:19:49,976 Speaker 1: without you three girls. So I'm pretty sure that the 329 00:19:50,017 --> 00:19:53,337 Speaker 1: first time I ever saw Jesus Calling book was when 330 00:19:53,377 --> 00:19:56,817 Speaker 1: my mom gave it to all of us girls. I 331 00:19:56,857 --> 00:20:00,857 Speaker 1: got into radio kind of by accident. I won a 332 00:20:01,137 --> 00:20:05,137 Speaker 1: radio contest when I was working. I have a music 333 00:20:05,177 --> 00:20:08,497 Speaker 1: business degree, and I was working for an orchestra where 334 00:20:08,497 --> 00:20:11,057 Speaker 1: I was the financial manager, and I was listening to 335 00:20:11,097 --> 00:20:14,696 Speaker 1: the radio and I won a contest on the radio, 336 00:20:15,097 --> 00:20:18,097 Speaker 1: and they made this thing called a promo with my 337 00:20:18,257 --> 00:20:21,577 Speaker 1: voice on it. And somebody said when they heard the 338 00:20:21,617 --> 00:20:25,097 Speaker 1: promo that they thought I should go into radio. So 339 00:20:25,297 --> 00:20:27,617 Speaker 1: I thought, Okay, I'm going to go to a recording 340 00:20:27,657 --> 00:20:30,177 Speaker 1: studio and I'm going to make a demo tape and 341 00:20:30,217 --> 00:20:33,417 Speaker 1: I'm going to send it to radio station. And I 342 00:20:33,537 --> 00:20:37,217 Speaker 1: did and they hired me. So I kind of got 343 00:20:37,217 --> 00:20:40,817 Speaker 1: into radio by accident. It really wasn't necessarily one of 344 00:20:40,817 --> 00:20:43,177 Speaker 1: my dreams or one of my plans. But I thought 345 00:20:43,177 --> 00:20:45,537 Speaker 1: it was fascinating and I thought it sounded like fun, 346 00:20:45,577 --> 00:20:48,897 Speaker 1: and I thought it probably wasn't very much work. And 347 00:20:48,977 --> 00:20:51,497 Speaker 1: the radio stations that I got into at first were 348 00:20:51,537 --> 00:20:55,537 Speaker 1: not Christian radio stations. They were secular radio stations, and 349 00:20:55,617 --> 00:20:58,457 Speaker 1: I had to be kind of somebody that left at 350 00:20:58,497 --> 00:21:02,097 Speaker 1: my co host's jokes. Then I started working for a 351 00:21:02,217 --> 00:21:07,577 Speaker 1: Christian radio station, and I really couldn't necessarily be myself 352 00:21:07,657 --> 00:21:11,337 Speaker 1: because the things that you are when you're a Christian 353 00:21:11,577 --> 00:21:15,097 Speaker 1: are not perfect, and I felt like this particular Christian 354 00:21:15,177 --> 00:21:18,897 Speaker 1: radio station was one that wanted life to look like 355 00:21:18,937 --> 00:21:22,177 Speaker 1: it was perfect. Once you become a Christian, everything is 356 00:21:22,257 --> 00:21:24,817 Speaker 1: great with your life. So I felt like I was 357 00:21:24,897 --> 00:21:28,777 Speaker 1: kind of in this weird position of not fitting a 358 00:21:28,857 --> 00:21:33,057 Speaker 1: Christian radio station and not fitting necessarily a secular radio station. 359 00:21:33,177 --> 00:21:35,857 Speaker 1: I was kind of like Goldilocks. I really felt like, 360 00:21:36,097 --> 00:21:39,936 Speaker 1: who am I as a radio personality? Is there a 361 00:21:40,017 --> 00:21:45,217 Speaker 1: place that I can be me? When I finally found 362 00:21:45,537 --> 00:21:49,057 Speaker 1: the radio station that I believe was the I guess 363 00:21:49,097 --> 00:21:52,097 Speaker 1: the Goldilocks one, it was somewhere in between. It is 364 00:21:52,137 --> 00:21:55,017 Speaker 1: a Christian radio station, but it is a real Christian 365 00:21:55,097 --> 00:21:59,617 Speaker 1: radio station that allows me to fail. So I feel 366 00:21:59,657 --> 00:22:03,417 Speaker 1: like that in finding that station and feeling like I'm 367 00:22:03,417 --> 00:22:06,897 Speaker 1: in the middle of it. I was at the perfect place. Now, 368 00:22:07,017 --> 00:22:11,137 Speaker 1: I am just rolling, I'm comfortable with my listeners, and 369 00:22:11,177 --> 00:22:14,857 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden, the wind was knocked out 370 00:22:14,897 --> 00:22:18,817 Speaker 1: of me. I was sitting on my couch on July 371 00:22:18,977 --> 00:22:23,297 Speaker 1: eighteenth of twenty twenty three, and I was looking down 372 00:22:23,337 --> 00:22:26,137 Speaker 1: at my phone, and I couldn't see my phone anymore. 373 00:22:26,657 --> 00:22:28,937 Speaker 1: I had no idea what was going on, couldn't figure 374 00:22:28,977 --> 00:22:31,457 Speaker 1: it out. I thought there must be something with my contexts. 375 00:22:31,937 --> 00:22:35,017 Speaker 1: So I got up from the couch to go in 376 00:22:35,017 --> 00:22:39,457 Speaker 1: to my bathroom to change my contexts, and I fell down. 377 00:22:40,377 --> 00:22:43,256 Speaker 1: And I couldn't understand why I would fall down, And 378 00:22:43,497 --> 00:22:46,337 Speaker 1: so I crawled to the bathroom and crawled up onto 379 00:22:46,377 --> 00:22:49,097 Speaker 1: the counter and changed my context. I don't know how 380 00:22:49,137 --> 00:22:51,777 Speaker 1: I did it now, but I changed my contexts. And 381 00:22:51,977 --> 00:22:54,897 Speaker 1: I still was having trouble with my eyes, and I 382 00:22:55,097 --> 00:22:57,216 Speaker 1: kept trying to look at my phone and try to 383 00:22:57,257 --> 00:23:01,177 Speaker 1: call my husband because I thought there's something not right now. 384 00:23:01,537 --> 00:23:05,217 Speaker 1: Fast forward, apparently I was having a stroke. I had 385 00:23:05,377 --> 00:23:08,897 Speaker 1: no idea. I called nine one one. Finally they came. 386 00:23:08,937 --> 00:23:11,137 Speaker 1: They took me to the hospital and they told me 387 00:23:11,617 --> 00:23:13,936 Speaker 1: I had had a stroke, and I said, no, I didn't. 388 00:23:14,017 --> 00:23:17,257 Speaker 1: I'm way too young. I'm pretty healthy. I can't imagine 389 00:23:17,257 --> 00:23:19,617 Speaker 1: that I had a stroke. But no, it showed that 390 00:23:19,697 --> 00:23:23,537 Speaker 1: part of my brain is dead now because blood clott 391 00:23:23,577 --> 00:23:26,577 Speaker 1: went through a hole in my heart, and it sent 392 00:23:26,657 --> 00:23:32,377 Speaker 1: me into a road that I never ever expected. When 393 00:23:32,417 --> 00:23:35,897 Speaker 1: I went through that time, I had to really rely 394 00:23:36,137 --> 00:23:40,657 Speaker 1: on God more than ever because I couldn't do it. 395 00:23:40,937 --> 00:23:44,177 Speaker 1: I couldn't think, I couldn't talk right, I couldn't see. 396 00:23:44,217 --> 00:23:47,936 Speaker 1: I still can't see very well. But when I heard 397 00:23:48,897 --> 00:23:52,256 Speaker 1: how the listeners were praying for me, and how they 398 00:23:52,297 --> 00:23:56,456 Speaker 1: were sending cards and how they were sending messages that 399 00:23:56,497 --> 00:24:00,377 Speaker 1: they were praying for me, I knew that that was 400 00:24:00,457 --> 00:24:03,897 Speaker 1: God's way of surrounding me with his love, you know, 401 00:24:04,297 --> 00:24:07,537 Speaker 1: as a radio personality. You're pouring out and pouring out 402 00:24:07,577 --> 00:24:10,216 Speaker 1: and pouring out. You say things you don't know if 403 00:24:10,217 --> 00:24:12,937 Speaker 1: anybody's listening. You don't know if it's reaching anybody, if 404 00:24:12,937 --> 00:24:15,777 Speaker 1: you made any sense with that sentence, and then to 405 00:24:15,937 --> 00:24:19,777 Speaker 1: have that all come back to me, the listener's pouring 406 00:24:19,817 --> 00:24:24,736 Speaker 1: out to me. It was very humbling, and it was 407 00:24:25,017 --> 00:24:29,297 Speaker 1: very It wasn't just my job anymore. I became a 408 00:24:29,337 --> 00:24:34,217 Speaker 1: person on the radio, and it was it was where 409 00:24:34,217 --> 00:24:38,697 Speaker 1: the personality of a radio personality, I guess came through. 410 00:24:39,417 --> 00:24:47,177 Speaker 1: It still overwhelms me. In the midst of my stroke recovery, 411 00:24:47,937 --> 00:24:52,217 Speaker 1: I actually ended up in a rehab facility because I 412 00:24:52,257 --> 00:24:53,977 Speaker 1: had to learn how to walk again. I had to 413 00:24:54,057 --> 00:24:57,297 Speaker 1: learn how to cross the street in the time that 414 00:24:57,497 --> 00:24:59,977 Speaker 1: a crosswalk allows you to cross the street. I didn't 415 00:24:59,977 --> 00:25:02,177 Speaker 1: realize this was a thing until I'm going through therapy 416 00:25:02,217 --> 00:25:03,696 Speaker 1: and I was like, oh, yeah, you have to make 417 00:25:03,697 --> 00:25:04,977 Speaker 1: sure that you can make it to the other side 418 00:25:05,017 --> 00:25:08,297 Speaker 1: of the street before the crosswalk says don't walk anymore. 419 00:25:08,657 --> 00:25:11,337 Speaker 1: And so I had to relearn how to walk, how 420 00:25:11,337 --> 00:25:14,297 Speaker 1: to talk, how to eat, how to stand out, etc. 421 00:25:15,217 --> 00:25:20,257 Speaker 1: And it was so frustrating for me. I honestly thought 422 00:25:20,297 --> 00:25:22,377 Speaker 1: that I am never going to be on the radio again. 423 00:25:22,897 --> 00:25:25,577 Speaker 1: I am never going to look normal. I'm gonna walk 424 00:25:25,617 --> 00:25:28,257 Speaker 1: down the street and people are gonna wonder, okay, what 425 00:25:28,337 --> 00:25:30,737 Speaker 1: happened to her? People are gonna look at my face 426 00:25:30,777 --> 00:25:33,216 Speaker 1: and they're gonna see that one of my eyebrows is 427 00:25:33,257 --> 00:25:35,617 Speaker 1: a little bit higher than the other one. It really 428 00:25:35,617 --> 00:25:38,256 Speaker 1: stressed me out because I thought, God, how can you 429 00:25:38,457 --> 00:25:41,737 Speaker 1: use this? How can you use this for your glory? 430 00:25:41,897 --> 00:25:44,217 Speaker 1: Because I'm not seeing any glory in it right now. 431 00:25:44,617 --> 00:25:48,697 Speaker 1: I'm going to physical therapy. I can't even drive myself. 432 00:25:48,697 --> 00:25:50,777 Speaker 1: My husband has to drive me, my friend has to 433 00:25:50,857 --> 00:25:53,737 Speaker 1: drive me, my sister has to drive me. And why 434 00:25:53,737 --> 00:25:55,537 Speaker 1: did you make this happen? And how are you going 435 00:25:55,617 --> 00:25:58,297 Speaker 1: to use it for your good? And I think through 436 00:25:58,657 --> 00:26:03,417 Speaker 1: that stress, I would pray a lot more honestly than 437 00:26:03,457 --> 00:26:06,417 Speaker 1: I had ever prayed before, because I I would literally 438 00:26:06,457 --> 00:26:09,177 Speaker 1: say that to God, right or wrong. I would say 439 00:26:09,217 --> 00:26:11,977 Speaker 1: that to God and I would say, Lord, I don't 440 00:26:12,017 --> 00:26:14,577 Speaker 1: know why I'm going through this. I don't know how 441 00:26:14,697 --> 00:26:17,377 Speaker 1: I'm going to learn from this. I don't know how 442 00:26:17,577 --> 00:26:21,177 Speaker 1: anybody else is going to be able to listen to 443 00:26:21,217 --> 00:26:23,417 Speaker 1: me on the radio. I don't know that I have 444 00:26:23,537 --> 00:26:27,897 Speaker 1: that same purpose anymore because I'm broken, I'm a mess. 445 00:26:28,057 --> 00:26:30,377 Speaker 1: I'm not the same person that I will. My brain 446 00:26:30,577 --> 00:26:33,936 Speaker 1: will never recover. It'll get better, it'll learn how to 447 00:26:34,017 --> 00:26:37,057 Speaker 1: rewire itself, but it's never going to be like I 448 00:26:37,217 --> 00:26:41,417 Speaker 1: was before. I'm a perfectionist and if it isn't perfect, 449 00:26:41,537 --> 00:26:44,017 Speaker 1: and if I can't make a complete sentence, I don't 450 00:26:44,017 --> 00:26:46,297 Speaker 1: want to do it. God was like real with me, 451 00:26:46,337 --> 00:26:48,177 Speaker 1: because he was right there with me, and he was like, 452 00:26:48,617 --> 00:26:52,257 Speaker 1: I don't need to use the perfect you. It's actually 453 00:26:52,577 --> 00:26:55,696 Speaker 1: more effective for me if I use the broken you, 454 00:26:56,297 --> 00:26:58,497 Speaker 1: because the broken you is going to be able to 455 00:26:58,537 --> 00:27:02,657 Speaker 1: reach people that are also broken. And when I use 456 00:27:02,697 --> 00:27:06,017 Speaker 1: what's broken, then it's not about you anymore, about what 457 00:27:06,017 --> 00:27:09,697 Speaker 1: I can do through you and how I can make 458 00:27:09,777 --> 00:27:14,657 Speaker 1: something broken perfect. It was a real big lesson for 459 00:27:14,737 --> 00:27:19,017 Speaker 1: me to have to learn. I am on the radio again. 460 00:27:19,137 --> 00:27:22,097 Speaker 1: I am reaching people. In fact, we got a note 461 00:27:22,137 --> 00:27:26,177 Speaker 1: today from a listener forty years old who just had 462 00:27:26,177 --> 00:27:29,897 Speaker 1: a stroke out of nowhere, and I could talk to 463 00:27:29,937 --> 00:27:32,817 Speaker 1: her like no one else in the radio station could 464 00:27:32,857 --> 00:27:35,977 Speaker 1: talk to her. I could see what she was going through, 465 00:27:36,017 --> 00:27:37,617 Speaker 1: I could know what she was going through. I could 466 00:27:37,897 --> 00:27:40,936 Speaker 1: encourage her, and I wouldn't have been able to do 467 00:27:40,977 --> 00:27:44,417 Speaker 1: that before. I would have been used in a very clinical, 468 00:27:44,537 --> 00:27:48,657 Speaker 1: different way. I could have said, here's some scripture, but 469 00:27:48,777 --> 00:27:51,057 Speaker 1: I was able to say to her, God's going to 470 00:27:51,137 --> 00:27:55,217 Speaker 1: use your story because he's using mind. It's not perfect, 471 00:27:55,297 --> 00:27:55,777 Speaker 1: but it's his. 472 00:27:58,537 --> 00:28:01,337 Speaker 2: To learn more about Brooke Taylor, visit joy ninety nine 473 00:28:01,417 --> 00:28:04,577 Speaker 2: dot com if you'd like to hear more stories about authenticity. 474 00:28:04,977 --> 00:28:14,137 Speaker 2: Check out her interview with Anita Renfrow. Next time on 475 00:28:14,217 --> 00:28:17,497 Speaker 2: the Jesus Calling podcast, we welcome Trey Tucker, a mental 476 00:28:17,497 --> 00:28:21,417 Speaker 2: health therapist, coach, and former corporate professional. Having worked and 477 00:28:21,497 --> 00:28:25,657 Speaker 2: oversees human trafficking rescue, he helps people, especially men, find 478 00:28:25,737 --> 00:28:28,777 Speaker 2: identity and self worth, encouraging them to build lives on 479 00:28:28,857 --> 00:28:31,177 Speaker 2: resilience and courage over performance. 480 00:28:32,377 --> 00:28:35,897 Speaker 4: I've made decisions that have knocked myself down through horrible, 481 00:28:36,177 --> 00:28:38,737 Speaker 4: unwise decisions, and he's still been there to help me 482 00:28:38,817 --> 00:28:41,417 Speaker 4: get back up. I had to face the consequences of it, 483 00:28:41,617 --> 00:28:45,017 Speaker 4: but he always came through and helped me to rebuild 484 00:28:45,017 --> 00:28:46,417 Speaker 4: and become better because of it. 485 00:28:53,457 --> 00:28:55,977 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith 486 00:28:56,057 --> 00:28:59,897 Speaker 2: podcast on the Live Audio Network. Every week, we'll bring 487 00:28:59,937 --> 00:29:02,497 Speaker 2: you stories from people who share their journeys of faith 488 00:29:02,857 --> 00:29:05,937 Speaker 2: and have prayer and a relationship with God trans formed 489 00:29:05,977 --> 00:29:10,377 Speaker 2: their lives. Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, 490 00:29:10,657 --> 00:29:13,617 Speaker 2: or wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave us a 491 00:29:13,697 --> 00:29:16,737 Speaker 2: review so others can be inspired weekly by these stories 492 00:29:16,737 --> 00:29:21,177 Speaker 2: of faith. Finally, you can find encouragement resources and more 493 00:29:21,457 --> 00:29:25,377 Speaker 2: on the Jesus Calling website at Jesus Calling dot com.