Trust the action that God loves you unconditionally." —Laura Bratton The Ministry of Gratitude: Seeing with Our Hearts in a World of Fear Welcome back to the Interviewing Jesus Podcast, where we have Conversations with Jesus and explore what it truly means to live a life of Spirit-led living. In this week’s powerful episode, we had the honor of speaking with Laura Bratton, an acclaimed author on spirituality, founder of Ooby Global, and a living testament to harnessing courage. Laura's faith journey began at the tender age of nine with a life-altering diagnosis: she would one day be blind. Over the next decade, she navigated a traumatic and profound transition, one that challenged every conventional notion of Christian spiritual growth and brought her into a deeper, more intimate relationship with the divine. This conversation was a profound lesson in what I call the "Ministry of Gratitude." Laura taught us that gratitude isn’t a naive or forced cheerfulness in the face of suffering. Instead, it’s a deliberate, tangible practice of being grateful for what helps us navigate our difficulties. As she wisely pointed out, she doesn't wake up and say, "God, I'm so grateful for my blindness." Instead, she gives thanks for the "gift of a guide dog" that helps her move safely through the world, or for the quiet strength of her parents who taught her to take life "day by day by day, moment by moment by moment." This kind of practical spirituality re-frames our perspective, shifting our focus from the overwhelming obstacle to the countless, often-overlooked blessings that support us. It's a key part of understanding the Holy Spirit and seeing His provision in the mundane.
Laura’s experience challenges us to consider our own senses. For those of us who rely on physical sight, it’s easy to miss the deeper ways God communicates with us. Laura’s story is a remarkable example of spiritual awakening, as she learned to rely on her intuition and the energy of people around her. When she couldn't see, she became more attuned to sounds, touches, and a profound inner knowing—the Divine wisdom that we all possess but rarely cultivate. This reminds me of the passage in Luke where Jesus asks, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" The truth is, our actions of faith are the bridge between what we profess to believe and how we actually live. Laura’s life is a perfect example of this. She didn't just profess her faith; she acted on it, trusting in the "next right action" even when she couldn't see the path ahead. The episode also brought to light a crucial aspect of Christian personal development: the practice of self-compassion. In moments when our friends or family don't understand our pain, or when our support system seems to fail, Laura encourages us to turn inward. She suggests asking ourselves, "What would I say to my best friend if they were going through this?" and then offering that same kindness and grace to ourselves. This isn't selfish; it's a profound act of self-love that stems from the unconditional love of Christ. When we trust that God’s love is enough to sustain us, we can extend that love to ourselves, empowering us to live out our purpose regardless of our circumstances. This is truly an act of spiritually brave living. Seeing with our heart is recognizing the beauty of creation and being grateful for that creation." —Laura Bratton Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Courage and Faith 02:53 Laura's Journey of Vision Loss 04:18 Misconceptions About Blindness 05:42 Experiencing the World Without Sight 11:06 The Role of Intuition and Trust 15:19 The Ministry of Gratitude 19:16 Practical Tools for Gratitude 21:10 Seeing with the Heart 23:10 Finding Support in Difficult Times 25:41 The Importance of Sound and Touch 27:48 Spiritual Insights Through Adversity 29:23 Lessons Learned from Adversity 31:01 Trusting Your Support System 32:47 Actions of Faith and Self-Compassion 35:17 Finding Joy in Nature 37:56 Connecting with Laura Bratton 39:20 Closing Prayer and Reflection Ultimately, Laura’s message is one of profound healing and transformation. It is a testament to the fact that we are beloved creations and that our purpose and worth are not tied to our abilities or circumstances. Through a simple yet profound ministry of gratitude, she shows us how to navigate the very real struggles of life, demonstrating that our biggest challenges can become our greatest teachers. Her insights are a powerful source of daily spiritual wisdom, reminding us that God is always working to fill our "coffee cup," pouring His love into us day after day. As a community, let us take these lessons to heart, practicing gratitude, embracing self-compassion, and living a life that truly honors the principles we profess.  BINGE LISTEN
Trusting that God's love for you is unconditional... even if you don't believe it, just assume that God is saying, 'Yes, I love you unconditionally.'" —Laura Bratton Thank you so much for being here with us today, Laura. And thank you to our listeners for joining us. We hope this conversation has inspired you to trust in God's unconditional love, to embrace self-compassion, and to find gratitude in what helps you navigate your daily struggles. Remember to check out Laura's work and her book, "Harnessing Courage," at laurabratton.com. Call to Action If you are facing a difficult challenge or simply want to deepen your faith journey, consider starting your own gratitude journal. Even if you don't feel like it, try writing down just one thing you are grateful for each day. This simple action can be a powerful first step in a life of practical spirituality and Christian personal development. You’re the sunshine after the rain."
I ask Google for help on this one! Superpowers are extraordinary abilities that go beyond human capabilities, often categorized by their function. They are a staple of comic books, movies, and video games. Here is a list of some of the most common and interesting superpowers. Physical Abilities
You do know who you are asking, right? So here is the twist, which ones do you think we can encounter within the LOVE of God and our LIMITLESSNESS in Him! John 14:12 (NIV): "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." Acts 1:8 is a key verse: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This promise of power was fulfilled at Pentecost and is meant for all believers. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Ephesians 3:20 speaks of God's ability to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." This scripture highlights the incredible potential available to believers through the Holy Spirit's power. I have encountered 13! and heard testimony on almost all of them. Good time to Go Ask Jesus! 
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I'm Kristen WambachI'm all grown up (I think?) Along my journey of searching for answers, I found them. I went from spiritual blindness to OMG! With a driving niche as an entrepreneur. I love hanging out with our four sons, riding with my husband on his Harley, and creating all things hospitality. My mission? To help others see "beyond" and own their awesomeness within!
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