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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nikiih at nc dot rr dot com
I am sorry to hear that you lost your post. It's so tough when our schedules are tight and we put in so much hard work only to lose it!!!
I will be encouraging my 88 year old grandmother this week. We recently lost a beloved cousin and my grandmother is having a very tough time right now.
My favorite verse is Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Blessings,
Nikii
I just now encouraged a friend through an email who is struggling as a wife and mother. For some reason, only the Lord knows, I have women reaching out to me to help them and I feel I am totally inadequate but with the Lord's strength and help, I want to be able to encourage them. Thank you for this devotion. I tell all my friends about Prov 31! I love Prov. 16:3 – Commit your works to Him and your plans will be established.
[email protected]
Jennifer F
Diane B. I forgot to leave my email address: [email protected], Thanks
I pray you got some rest.
My favorite encouraging scripture is Phillippians 4:6&7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace that transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I will be encouraging my Uncle today and always, he just had his third surgery for cancer.
jbaehrel at hvc dot rr dot com
Sorry to hear about your post. I am looking forward to reading it today.
I called two sisters in the Lord yesterday to encourage them and to let them know I was lifting them up in prayer.
Psalm 18:1-2
I will be encouraging my mother-who is fighting breast cancer and the recent lost of her son and my brother.
My favorite scripture: All scripture"s
Blessings
Pam
Monica – [email protected]. I will encourage my daughter this week by listening to her with my undivided attention.
My name is Allison Baker
[email protected]
I will be encouraging to my mom as she is struggling in her faith right now.
My favorite scripture to encourage with is Job 19:25 and John 16:33. That though Job had felt as if everyone had left him, he knew his Redeemer lived, and that one day Job was going to see God for himself. Jesus has overcome all our struggles, so we should take heart. Oh what a Savior!
Lauriebaka @ yahoo.com
I Hope & Wish God Take Extra Special Care of Mary Millard and all The Ladies of The Church At Rock Creek.
I HEART Mary Millard and all The Ladies of The Church At Rock Creek so much.
I don't know any bible verse by heart or can't think of a Favorite.
Laurie [email protected]
T
Kristy Lee Farmer
[email protected]
I am encouraging a friend who is overcoming depression due to multiple deaths in her family. I lost my husband suddenly a year ago March 17th…we lift each other up!
Jer. 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to help you, not harm you…plans to give you a future and hope.
I've lost posts many a time. I started typing them out in Word and saving them there. It also helps with the memory of what I've posted about if I couldn't get on the net right away.lol
sojournerdkj at yahoo dot com
I'll be encouraging my daughter. She's going through alot at school and just in her precious little 11 year old heart.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE, and SELF-DISCIPLINE(Sound Mind).{Which really, I could use a sound mind right now my own self!}
I'm so glad you chose sleep!!!
jjoneskw at widomaker dot com
My sister-in-law Denise
Jeremiah 29:11 – I have a plan for you; a plan for good
I so enjoyed your words of encouragement this morning. The sermon on Sunday was about encouraging fellow believers.
I will be encouraging my dear friend Anita. This is a very busy work time for her and she is a blessing to me.
My email is zobolala3 at gmail dot com
zobolala3 at gmail dot com
I was so excited to read your words of encouragement. I will be encouraging my friend Anita. She is an amazing woman.
Hi Renee
I'm sorry about your list evaporating into internet poof space.
I know how that is, as my time evaporates like that. But it is important to feel rested for the kiddos and the events of the next day.
Perfectly fine to rest up a bit before redoing blogs comes into play.
I will be encouraging my children as the day with them starts now as I hear my warning alarm going off. In case I get to interested in my facebook reading or daily friend contacts, emails and devotionals. I set the clock or post myself a reminder to keep things in check.
Yeah I'm just a bit nutty most days. I'm a stay at home mom & trust me God comes first in my mind and heart. Not always in my actions I guess, as I get discouraged or impatient some days or just plain exhausted. But the internet also is my sources of encouragement and help. From cleaning advice, recipes and parenting advice to christian devotionals. It comforts me daily. I get lonely during the daytime as my kiddos both are in school now and hubby works long hours to make up for my being at home.
I don't have as many friends as those I know who work out of the home. I try to read every morning between sending hubby off to work and getting the kiddos up. I also use facebook to encourage other ladies along the way or should I say they end up giving me encouragement, advice and the friend's love & encouragement, I desperately need as well, when I'm having bad days.
There is nothing like being able to say to someone or hearing a dear old friend or new friend say I'm praying for you and understand.
I also use facebook to encourage the kids at school. Which makes my mommy heart happy as well and helps me really get to know my kids friends. I get down quite a bit because I feel disconnected with my family some days. Because time just seems to get away and there is always so much pressure from the daily routines of life. But it makes it a bit easier to hear from other Christians who have been there and have understanding hearts and kind words for one another.
I just want you to know your encoragements (& the other ladies) here @ proverbs 31 do a great job of encouraging me daily. And I want to thank you all, all of you for that.
I like many verses but I find that these help me daily.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
(2nd Corinthians 12:10)
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me"
Philippians 4:13
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 email is
[email protected]
I'd love to be entered into the giveaway.
Just pray for me as I struggle daily in the walk of mom and wife.
brittany_towne at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my Grandmother as she is admitted into the hospital for surgery and the therapy that will be following.
Encouraging Scripture:
Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. and the peace of god, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4: 6-7.
It is my daily reminder that I am not in control and I have to hand things over to Christ!
Sometimes losing a post is a blessing in disguise! Sometimes it isn't! I always write and save my post in my Text Edit or i-Pages software and then copy and paste it into my blog because I too have lost important work!
Email: [email protected]
Encouragement: Michelle- hand-written note
“Let us keep on running the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1, NIrV)
ncbrown33 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my husband to seek God and to develop a walk with him. I will also encourage a friend and her family to come to church with us this week.
My favorite verse for encouragement is Hebrews 10:24-25
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.
Linda
[email protected]
I will encourage my sister who is forty and has had a rough marriage for 20 years and just lost her job.
My favorite scripture
Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths.
Sorry, you lost your post. Looking forward to read it. 3-monkeys at att dot net
I will encourage my son to continue to make wise choices.
Laminations 3:21-23 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.