What if the places you thought were ruined forever—the ashes of grief, loss, or wandering—were the very soil where God was planting something new? We are watching this very premise play out real time through the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk and the amazing, faith-filled response of his wife, Erika Kirk.

In today’s episode, we sit with “Flowers” by Phil Wickham—a tender anthem for those walking through ashes and wondering if God can still bring beauty from their broken story.

But this isn’t just a song. It’s a promise.

That God exchanges mourning for joy, despair for praise, ashes for beauty. That what the enemy meant for evil, God is already using for good. That the flowers are already sprouting, even if you can’t yet see them bloom.

Because Scripture has always told us this story—from Isaiah’s promise of “a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,” to Joseph’s declaration in Genesis 50:20, to Paul’s assurance in Romans 8:28. God redeems. God restores. God plants hope where the ground feels scorched.

In This Episode:

• Discover the story behind “Flowers” and how it echoes the hope of Isaiah 61

• Hear how testimonies from around the world reveal glimpses of beauty rising from tragedy

• Trace the biblical pattern of divine exchange—from Joseph’s suffering to Rahab’s scarlet cord to the cross itself

• Find encouragement that your ashes—whatever they are—are not wasted but planted for His glory

Listen to “Flowers” by Phil Wickham:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7Fd44ENIgycSM6Alye9QZN?si=G3v7sPvpRxS_YCV8Miu1YA

• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-blood/1761895678?i=1761895679

• YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=6WvjEwlS4rY&si=Ei1YLlPm2MgUBMOX

Want to go deeper?

• Download the devotional: https://lyricandletter.com/devotional

• Join our women’s Bible study: https://lyricandletter.com/biblestudy

• Thematic Verse Mapping: https://www.ThematicVerseMapping.com

• Connect in our Facebook community: https://facebook.com/groups/lyricandletter

• Join our newsletter for blog posts, studies, and special insights into Scripture: https://www.lyricandletter.com

Thank you for walking through this journey with me.

My prayer is that this episode reminds you: your ashes are not the end of the story. They are the soil where God plants flowers.

Because in Christ, beauty always has the final word.

Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976:

This episode may contain copyrighted material for the purpose of commentary, teaching, and spiritual reflection. All rights to the music featured belong to the original artist and copyright holder. The use of this material is protected under Fair Use for non-commercial, educational purposes.

“Flowers” by Phil Wickham © belongs to the artist and their affiliated rights holders.