God may be quiet and unseen, but He's always faithful. Let's talk about Esther!

Slow Down Sunday is a part of No Grit No Pearl with Barbara. Also available on YouTube.

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Welcome back to No Grit No Pearl — where the coffee is strong, the Wi-Fi is questionable, and the stories go a whole lot deeper than the surface.

Today, I’m relaunching this podcast with a fresh start, a clearer heart, and the same old me who laughs at her own tech mishaps. We’re going beneath the skin — into the places where life has worn us a bit thin, stretched us, refined us, and somehow made room for grace to move in.

This is a soft beginning again. A kitchen-table conversation about starting over (for the hundredth time), finding purpose in the cracks, and remembering why connection matters so much.

If you’re facing your own restart, grab a cup of something warm and join me. You’re in good company here.

🎥 Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUoxsBVHHLM

The poem I referenced is by Jeanette Encinias. It's wonderful & I hope you check out Beneath the Sweater and the Skin and the rest of her work.

https://www.jeannetteencinias.com/beneath-the-sweater-the-skin

💬 Let’s stay connected:

Find me at No Grit No Pearl With Barbara on your favorite podcast apps and on YouTube.

Thanks for listening, thanks for giving me another beginning, and thanks for pulling up a chair.

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In this Slow Down Sunday, we sit down with Deborah—judge, prophetess, and fearless leader of Israel—who didn’t wait for someone else to go first. When Barak hesitated, she stood tall and said, “Let’s go.”

Deborah wasn’t just offering advice from the sidelines—she led with conviction, sang in victory, and obeyed in the midst of fear. Her story in Judges 4 and 5 reminds us that obedience doesn't have to be loud to be powerful—and sometimes, the most courageous thing you can do is sing after the storm.

Whether you’re in a season of waiting, wrestling, or rising up, Deborah’s story will give you something to chew on. And maybe, just maybe, the courage to walk forward.

🪶 Mentioned:

• Judges 4–5 (go read it!)
• The courage to obey when others won’t
• What leadership looks like for women of faith
• How to stand when others hesitate

I’m Barbara, and this is Slow Down Sunday—a part of the No Grit No Pearl show.

Thanks for listening. I love y’all. Heart. 🤎

#SlowDownSunday #NoGritNoPearl #Deborah #FaithfulLeadership #WomenInScripture #ChristianPodcast

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The last episode of Season 1!

Lot’s wife only gets one verse in the Bible—and yet, Jesus told us to remember her. Why? Because her backward glance wasn’t just about Sodom… it was about what she couldn’t let go of.

In this Slow Down Sunday devotional, Barbara digs into the story of Lot’s wife, what her moment of hesitation means for us today, and what the cost can be. But we can move forward when God says, “It’s time to go.”

🔗 Visit https://www.songbirdonthewire.com for the full blog post, printable scripture cards (coming soon!), and more encouragement from Cowgirl Town.

🎙️ This episode is part of No Grit No Pearl, a storytelling podcast and YouTube channel rooted in faith, real talk, and good sense.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Slow Down Sunday, we’re talking about a prophet, a prostitute, and a promise. Hosea was told to marry Gomer—a woman with a bad reputation—and their story became a living picture of God’s relentless love.

Messy. Honest. Beautiful. Just like grace.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mother’s Day doesn’t always feel like flowers and sunshine. For some of us, it stirs up grief, regret, or the ache of separation. In this short Slow Down Sunday episode, I share my own journey — from being a young, self-centered. A mess. But also, the grace that found me in the mess and keeps my heart alive and joyful.

Whether you’re celebrating, grieving, or just surviving the day — you’re seen, loved, and not alone.

Scripture reference: Proverbs 31:25-28

💬 Tell me what this day means to you.

🎧 Subscribe to No Grit No Pearl wherever you get your podcasts.

☕ Like what you hear? Buy me a strong cup of Campfire Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/barbaraalmostlive

#SlowDownSunday #MothersDay #FaithInHardSeasons #NoGritNoPearl

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This week on Slow Down Sunday, I reflect on the story of Miriam—sister of Moses, singer, prophetess, and a woman who learned to raise her voice in joy after walking through silence. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, shut down, or like your time has passed, this one’s for you.

Miriam’s story reminds us that obedience isn’t always glamorous. It’s gritty, it’s humble, and it’s rooted in trust—even in the wilderness.

📖 Bible references:

Exodus 2:15

Numbers 12:21

Lamentations 3:22–23

Isaiah 43:19

Psalm 51:10–12

James 1:22

Romans 8:1

🧡 Want more encouragement and behind-the-scenes stories? Visit songbirdonthewire.com or find me on YouTube under No Grit No Pearl. And of course, all the podcast places you use. Let’s walk this thing out together.

🎵 Music Credit:

“Old Boxes” by Gavin Luke, used with a valid Epidemic Sound license. epidemicsound.com

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Even tough guys like Elijah get fearful, worn out, and downhearted.

After a bold stand for God, Elijah ran when Jezebel threatened him — not because he didn’t believe, but because he was exhausted.

Under the broom tree, God didn’t shame him — He fed him, touched him, and whispered him back to life.

In today’s Slow Down Sunday, we talk about how God meets the weary — not with a roar, but with a whisper.

Scripture: 1 Kings 19

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