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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1. Cindy Purdy cpurdy0703 at yahoo dot com
2. my daughter by sharing daily devotionals & keeping our conversations positive.
3. Eph. 2:10
TEMPER is what gets most of us in trouble. PRIDE keeps us there.
Angelica Carrasco-Taylor
[email protected]
I would like to encourage my baby sister (27). In the last 9 months she has lost her job, her car, her place of residence, and her telephone service.
My favorite scripture is: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my mom, a year ago today she almost died of Congestive Heart Failure.
The scripture that I use when I need encouragement and want to give encouragement is Proverbs 139:14 – I am Fearfully and Wonderfully made.
I am trying to encourage a young lady (teen) who doesn't know much about God. She is a sweet girl who has had to deal with some abuse and neglect in her life.
I also want to help out a lady at our local Christian school who works in the office.
It is fun to look for ways to bless others around you…whether a smile, a little help to someone in the grocery store, a kind word or joke to cheer someone up…There are so many opportunities around us…
Thanks for the reminder!
just wondering about posting email addresses…
1) isn't it unsafe to publically post email addresses?
(I've had mine stolen from a post before)
2)Just wondering why you have folks type them out with the at and dot….?
Riley
[email protected]
My stepmom. Today's devotional reminded me of the power of encouragement.
Favorite Verse: Be joyful always! – Thess. 5:16
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my prayer partner through my First Place For Health Class as she struggles with unhealthy food choices/temptations.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NIV)
Pam Wolfcale at [email protected]
A sweet friend at our church Preschool is going through chemo treatments for breast cancer. Her spirit is amazing. I plan to take her a dinner and have been sending her cards to encourage and support her.
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Today's devotional was perfect for me, as I myself am struggling with purpose as a stay at home housewife!
My name is Christine and my email is: [email protected]
I will be encouraging my husband today by reminding him how thankful I am for all his hard work in providing for us. I don't do that often enough and he needs to hear it!
My favorite scripture is this: "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away" (John 6:37). It's my sweet reminder on those days when Satan tries to tell me I am unworthy of the Lord's love, that Jesus will never drive me away!
God bless!
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my friend who is struggling with weight loss.
My favorite verse for encouragment is
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Renea Harrin [email protected]
I will be encouraging my friend Brittney, she's going through a tough time right now.
my favorite verse is
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
And as always, thanks for your words of encouragement. All of the p31 gals posts are so helpful.
Have a bleseed day
Renea H
Cheryl McLeod @[email protected]
I am going to encourage my stepmother, Charlotte. She recently had a knee replaced. She is caring for my ailing father. She does get some help from hospice but she does almost all of the care-giving even tho she is recovering from the knee replacement. My go to scripture is Philippians 4:13-"I can do all things thru Christ who strenghtens me." I cannot tell you how many times this verse has given me strength.
lori dot newham at gmail dot com
I am going to encourage a friend from my bible study. she is having a lot of trouble with her teenage son who has been talking suicide and is very depressed. She is overwhelmed right now and needs prayers.
Favorite verse is Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God."
Heather Smith
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my mom by giving her uplifting words and sending card to her. She has health issues and can not do alot.
Jer 29:11 is my favorite verse and it is the verse I claim for my life and share with others.
shannon @ http://www.theinspiredpage.blogspot.com:
My entire post this morning is about being the encourager to my husband. About blessing him with encouragement when he walks away, not about me being a winner when I walk away from a conversation.
My quote would be Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. I must be humble and care enough to put his needs first to beable to encourage him with my words–shouldn't that be the goal of any conversation I have. Lord please help me tame this tongue LOL
I try to encourage people all day long as I talk over the phone to people who are struggling with health issues. But this week I am specifically encouraging my youngest daughter as she is at that age when girls can be sooo mean.
Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
Psalms 46:10-11
cjelliott8 at yahoo dot com
nicolemgomez @ gmail dot com
I'm going to encourage my sister this week. I will remind her everyday that she was chosen by God and that He has a purpose for her life even though she may feel like she doesn't.
My favorite verse is Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Thank you for your encouraging words.
Melanie Hall at [email protected]
I want to encourage my sister who is facing some health issues by giving her some special scriptures and try to go help her pick up around her house.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (The Message)
God has given me the gift of encouraging others but recently I have not been doing very well at using my gift. Thanks to your devotional, Renee, I am encouraged to do the same for others. Thank you for your faithfulness to God and may He richly bless you. I don't have just one person but a list of people God wants me to encourage.
Fannie from Kansas [email protected]
Lynn T: I thank God for all the women He placed in my life giving encouragement. I ask God to guide me everyday to someone I can encourage for Him. I was inspired from reading your devotional today.