When Leanne penned a note to her daughter’s coach that day, she had no idea it would make such a huge difference in Jill Beran’s life. She didn’t know Jill was at her lowest point, where doubt and loneliness had lead her into deep depression.
With just the right words, God spoke courage and hope into Jill’s heart, through Leanne.
At just the right time, He reached through the darkness and touched Jill’s life, through Leanne.
The night Jill came home, her depression had turned to despair. And then Leann’s note fell out of Jill’s journal. Simple words of appreciation brought hope into the darkness. Someone saw something in Jill that she couldn’t see in herself. Someone believed her life was worth living.
Leanne’s simple words helped changed the course of Jill’s life. But, as I shared in my devotion today, that’s just the beginning of their story. You can read the rest of it in their book Letters from Leanne. Today, I asked them to share more with us about it:
Tell us a little about the book: Letters from Leanne is the story of our friendship over the last ten years and how God has worked through it . We share the joys and trials we’ve encountered on our walk of faith, but ultimately how we saw God’s hand in every situation.
Jill, why did you write this book? Initially, I wanted to thank Leanne. I’d been blessed by her perspective as a mom, her acceptance as a friend, her guidance as an older woman and especially the love she poured out as a Christian. But it isn’t just a thank you to Leanne; it’s a thank you to God. Our friendship has been and still is a gift. I pray by reading our story, women will be encouraged to build similar relationships in their lives.
What do you hope readers will gain? We pray women will be encouraged in their faith and inspired to find or be a mentor. We share how mentoring is not about having all the answers, but simply sharing your life with someone. We give you a look at a specific spiritual mentoring relationship and take you on the journey of how our’s grew.
We’ve also included questions in each chapter to help women apply what we share to their personal lives. Women are encouraged to slow down and take a look at their own lives and find lessons in the letters.
To find out more about Letters from Leanne, visit Amazon. And if you’d like to connect with Jill you can visit her blog.
Encouraging Words Gift Pack
A copy of Letters from Leanne
A $5 Starbucks gift card
A pack of pretty cards
A notepad to give away
20 verses to personalize and send to a friend*********************************
- Leave your name and email typed out (your name at email provider dot com).
- List one person you’re going to encourage this week and how you’re going to do it.
- List your favorite “encouraging” verse if you have one.
Be sure to come back Wednesday for a video blog chat with my friend, author and speaker, Jennifer Rothschild. She’s shares great insights as we talk about the power of words! Also, I’ll be sharing about new make-up I discovered that I call my “magic eraser.” We used it to cover Jennifer’s black eye. More about that Weds. You might even win some along with two of her amazing books and another gift card!
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Hello,
I will be encouraging a lady at work who says she knows the Lord but seems to worry too much… Philipians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Thanks
Karen
[email protected]
Sorry you lost your post last night.
I will be encouraging a family member who has some difficult decisions to make.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 19:26
frankheidi at bellsouth dot net
mamahicks67 AT yahoo DOT com
I will be encouraging not only myself as I am dealing with a lot but my son as he is 12 and dealing with depression and anxiety.
My favortie verse is Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In our trying time that we as a family are going threw my favorite song is Amazing Grace..I know you didn't ask for that, but that song helps me stay focused and it is HIS encouraging words that help me.
Melanie
Yes, Technology is wonderful when it works. My email is: [email protected]
I am encouraging a woman I work with, she is a wife, mother, employee and studying for her Bachelors Degree
My favorite scripture on encouraging is:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Provrbs 3:5-6
Renee you were an encouragement to me this morning. Thank you! I will be praying for you as you prepare your post again.
I will be encouraging my children this morning as they get ready for school.
My favorite verse Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Mary – [email protected]
Sad at norskhime.com
Just today my husband and I were discussing how we could reach out to my sister-in-law who is struggling with depression. We believe this issue is not meant to walked through alone but with God and family at your side.
Your "Encouragement of the Day" came at just the right time for me to start reaching out to her! God Bless!
I am new to Bible Study and have enjoyed other favorite verse posts.
Sorry about your post!!
I will be encouraging my almost 6 yr old daughter this week. She started kindergarten last week, new country, new school, new friends, new everything. She has lots of catching up to do and with English as her second language it will be challenging!
My fav verses are Jer 29:11 and from Matthew, "do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of it's own."
Heidi
heidiforward at hotmail dot com
kristir33 at yahoo.com
I am looking for a way to encourage other stepmoms by starting a support group in my community. God has been so good to me and helped me through so many issues in my own blended family, and I feel called to share the blessings!
Kristi
[email protected]
I plan to encourage my mother who has been struggling over a year with health issues and has become depressed bc of it.It is the Word that brings life and healing so I plan to read Scripture with her.
I love Rom8:28 ALL things work together for good…
annzcull at gmail dot com
I will be encouraging a particular friend this week who seems to have lost her joy.
With God all things are possible (Mt 19:26).
[email protected]
I am going to encourage my Aunt Marlene who is going through a dark times in her life by writing encouraging messages on my blog (www.abusywomanslife.com).
I will never leave you nor forsake you" comes from Hebrews 13:5
Crystalfann at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my two boys this week. Life can throw us lots of unexpected balls, but with faith and trust in God, we can get through anything. I want to encourage them to be strong in the Lord, as my favorite song by Sidewalk Prophets says, never give up hope! God has his hand on you, so don't live life in fear!
“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in him.” – Nahum 1:7
Looking forward to hearing reading your post.
danamcgraw at gmail dot com
I will be encouraging my husband as well as my friend who is struggling with several difficulties right now.
Psalm 119:165
Good Morning, I will be encouraging my friend Jenny. She is a new believer and her husband lost his job yesterday.
Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11
cjheinold at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my friend Linda this week. She is going through some difficulties at this time.
One of my favorite verses that encourage me is:
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
floridakrewe at yahoo dot com
This week I will be encouraging my dad. He is going in the hospital tomorrow for a medical procedure, and is quite discouraged right now. I plan to take him to breakfast (his favorite) when he feels better.
My most favorite verse is: Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
Hi Renee friend!
I've lot posts before, and boy did it chap my hide! 😉
leebirdmerrill at gmail dot com
I will be encouraging my mom this week by giving her more Scriptures to read in her morning devotional time. (She's a new Believer!)
My favorite scripture on encouraging is: Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Laura
gazzaways at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my son Parker as he starts a new endeavor.
Jeremiah 29:11
Yes Renee, so sorry you lost your work! Technology is wonderful when it works. 🙂 My email is: beckster1024 at hotmail dot com
I will be encouraging my 10 year old daughter this week. She is struggling with friend issues in 5th grade. It's such a hard age.
My favorite scripture is from Matthew: Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will have enough worries of its own. 🙂
So sorry you list your post, I hate when things like that work against us.
Simplymevh at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my daughter as she is stressing about college.
My favorite scripture on encouraging is:
For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope. Jer 29:11
My absolute favorite in all things!!!