Our God will never leave us nor forsake us.

He goes before us and alongside of us.

And so in these troubling times, in the blue seasons of our life,

he is present.

He hears his daughters. He understands and he will answer. It may take a while. It may be in the midnight hour, but he will answer.

You're listening to God Hears Her, a podcast for women where we explore the stunning truth that God hears you,

he sees you, and he loves you because you are his. Find out how these realities free you today on God

Hears Her. Welcome to God Hears Her. I'm Elisa Morgan.

And I'm Aaron Eddy, and I think it's safe to say that we've all experienced the blues at different times in our lives.

But as Christians, how are we supposed to walk through those seasons of sadness, discouragement, or worse?

Our guest today, jazz singer Ruth Naomi Floyd shares both the practical ways and the artistic

ways that we can find beauty in the midst of despair.

Just some background information about Ruth Naomi.

As a vocalist and a composer, Ruth Naomi Floyd has been at the forefront of creating

vocal jazz settings that express theology and justice like for over 25 years. She's also a committed

music educator. Ms. Floyd is director of jazz studies at Karn University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania,

and an adjunct, an artist in residence at Temple University.

And before that, Ms. Floyd taught music for 20 years at the City School.

In addition to her musical talent, Ruth Naomi is also an award-winning fine art photographer specializing in black and white

portrait images. She continues to make the city of Philadelphia her home, where for over 25 years,

she has been devoted and active in providing compassionate care and spiritual support to people infected and affected by

HIV and AIDS.

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