fbpx Top

Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

Just the Right Words at Just the Right Time

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*********************************

To enter to win, click on the word “comments” below and include these three things in the white box:
  1. Leave your name and email typed out (your name at email provider dot com).
  2. List one person you’re going to encourage this week and how you’re going to do it.
  3. 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!

Comments

  1. I seem like maybe I could use some encouragement today so nice to be reminded that I am not alone.

    [email protected]

    I too am a constant encouragement to my college aged daughter especially today as she prepares for a job interview.

    My favorite scripture:

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

  2. I love your devotions… I love sharing them to encourage ladies.

    twhitley at mccrarydaniels dot com

    I will be encourage a great friend of mine. She has been battling issues with depression and friendships.

    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.

    This scripture has brought me so far. I once was someone who could not say my name in front of a group of people and now I can get up and teach a class to help our community that is struggling economically have the things they need with less money.

  3. My name is Niki [email protected]
    I am speaking at our upcoming women's retreat next weekend, and as I prepared, I took a moment to read today's devo. 1Peter 2:9 encouraged me greatly. I added it to my presentation, and will use it to encourage all the women who come to this workshop!

  4. crfenicle at gmail dot com
    I will be encouraging my spouse who has started a temp position after being unemployed for ten months.
    My favorite scripture for this time in our lives is Lamentations 3:19-23 "I remember my affliction and my wandering..my soul is downcast within me. 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.

  5. I'm sorry you lost your post…. I look so forward to reading all of them daily.

    mstelly1 at comcast dot net

    I will be encouraging my husband and oldest daughter today. On Thursday my husband lost his job and is feeling inadequeate as a provider for our family. My oldest daughter has always struggled with math and is meeting with her counselor to try and get some help in understanding 9th grade algebra 1.

  6. Thanks for sharing Renee:)
    You are a blessing to me in so many ways…

    Chrissy- [email protected]

    The person I want to really encourage this week is my husband and my kids….
    For my husband… write little notes and leave them for him to see in the am before going to work..
    Along with that I want to encourage my kids more with praise….
    One of my favorite encouraging verses is Psalm 46:10- Be still and know that I am God.

    May you be encouraged in the same way you encourage others.

    God bless

    Chrissy

  7. Your post was still encouraging to me…when things don't go as planned…God helps us to let it go and adjust.

    astrombeck at kaim-inc dot com

    Diana Bagley is my friend to encourage.

    Isaiah 40:31
    but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

  9. Thank you for confirmation that I need to increase my encouragement notes! Will be writing an encouragement to each of the women on our women's ministry team.
    My favorite encouragement verse: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 15:13
    luvmyfamily underscore 84 at hotmail dot com
    Blessings to you!

  14. It can be discouraging when you lose all your hard work. Hang in there!

    There are so many to encourage….my kids, my husband, my friends and neighbors….

    My favorite verse is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

    dana001 at tds dot net

  16. [email protected]
    Ckrs326 at yahoo dot com

    I am encouraging my husband today as he puts out another round of resumes. Of has been a long hard process and his self esteem has been shattered. I am going to encourage him to give it to God. We are not put here to fulfill our own purpose, but his. It doesn't matter our title on earth as long as we are lined up with him.

    My encouragement verse is Jeremiah 29:11

    Thank you!

  17. jadjed2 at yahoo dot com

    This is a trying week for us because of mid terms, I will be encouraging my two sons as they prepare for these test.

    My favorite scripture is Psalm 121:1
    I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

  19. Renee, thanks for the encouraging words. I would like to encourage my coworker this week, she's been struggling with many different things including feeling underappreciated. My favorite verse, which encourages me often is Proverbs 3:5-6 a friend recently reminded my of Jerm. 29:11, another encouraging one!

    My email is smith.5333 at gmail dot com.

  21. kjlehman09 at yahoo dot com

    I plan on encouraging my friend as she goes through a very high risk pregnancy and doesn't know what is going to happen.

    One of my favorite scriptures of encouragement is Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

  22. Deborah McLaren at windstream. net
    My friend Trish who lives God and needs encouragement this week.

    "I love the Lord because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy " ps 116:1. Amen for mercy!

  23. My email is [email protected].

    I will be encouraging 2 people this week: my sister, Faith, who is recuperating from acute renal failure 6 weeks ago and is battling depression AND my good friend, Lynn, who is in serious financial need after her ex-husband caused her to lose her job.

    My favorite encouraging verse is Romans 15:13. The word HOPE was what I held onto when my husband was battling cancer for 2 years. He won the ultimate healing: to heaven with Jesus.

  24. So sorry that you lost your post…stuff like that drives me crazy. And I am so glad that you went on to get sleep instead of rewriting…good for you girl!

    melanieacroy at hotmail dot com

    I will be encouraging my husband today. He is working on his masters degree and is very burnt out.

    "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

    Have a blessed day!!!

  25. tracey1018 at comcast dot net

    I am going to set out to encourage some youth at youth group this week.

    For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Tim 1:7 (AMP)

  26. Thank you for these beautiful words of encouragment this morning!

    dawn dot rodgers at masterpiecefit dot com

    I'm going to encourage my friend Jennifer whose in the middle of the adoption process. I know that she is frustrated but I know that God is going to do something amazing in her family!

    My favortie scripture for encouragement is 1 Sam 12:16

    "Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!"

    AWESOME!

  27. lawoods1011 at gmail dot com

    I am going to encourage myself this week to be disciplined in spending quiet time with the Lord.
    I struggle with this on a daily basis being convicted that I am not making time for the Lord. I am going to make it a goal to get into the word and read your Daily Devotions each day. Thank you for making it so convenient and leaving no room for excuses!

    Philipians 4:13
    I can (and WILL) do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me!

  28. I am in need of encouraging every day and for some reason February thru April is really tough on me.
    I am blessed to have recieved a copy of letters from Leanne it is awesome i find myself so much like Jill and i also am very lucky to have Carol in my life she is my mentor and the one person i can freely talk about god or anything with. she is a blessing that i could never repay. a true gift from god.

    i don't have a favorite scripture.
    [email protected]

  29. I have had times when I have written a whole blog and lost it so I understand how upsetting that can be.
    Today I had a teen girl that said she wished she was so perfect just like other girls. I told her that just because the look "perfect on the outside doesn't mean they are not struggling with thinking they are fat, ugly, bolemia, other struggles in their lives. I told her to be herself and look from within not just from the outter shell because she never knows what others are going through no matter how "perfect" they percieve to be.

    Psalms 139:14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

  30. lawoods1011 at gmail dot com

    I am going to encourage myself this week to be disciplined about having quiet time with the Lord. I struggle everyday with this issue. My goal is to get into the word and here is where I began. I look forward to the daily devotions to help me achieve my goal. Thank you for making this so convienent that there is no room for excuses!

    Philipians 4:13
    I can (and will) do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me!

  32. SandraS

    My email is [email protected]

    I will be encouraging to my boys.They are teenagers and that is a difficult time.

    My favorite verse for encouragement is Joshua 1:9

    Be strong and of good courage: do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

  33. One of my favorite verses is encouraging to me because I believe it illustrates our purpose for being and frees me to be what God created me to be.

    Micah 6:8
    What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

    Although we are not perfect, we can do that.

    Dawn Hanzel
    [email protected]

  34. DonnaLarue at acxiom dot com

    One of my favorite encouraging verses is Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

  35. lisa.b.mccurry at gmail dot com

    I will be encouraging my boyfried, his new journey with Christ, and his struggles with letting go of his past and forgiving himself.

    My favorite encouraging verse, is hard to narrow. I have two, if that's ok.

    "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9

    and

    "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him" Psalm 62:5

  36. •Jill Jarvis/jill[at]jilljarvis.com
    •Shannon & Jen for their volunteering & encouraging of college women
    •"For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

  37. This is a wonderful post! I have a friend who just lost her hubby to cancer, we are going to have lunch this week and I hope that the Lord will use me as an encouragement and just a shoulder to cry on for this dear friend.

    ~~Kathy

    fourkerwins at sbcglobal dot net

  38. Hello! Sorry about your technology issues-grrr very frustrating!

    my email: [email protected]

    Favorite verse: Hmm hard to come up with 1 so I'm going to say two of them:
    Proverbs 15:1-'A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.' Very challenging to remember this with 3 teenagers in the house.
    Matthew 6:34-'Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' This verse has helped me so much over the years. I really have learned to not sweat the small stuff anymore!

    I'm going to be encouraging a dear friend this week as she embarks on the Made to Crave journey!

  39. Thanks for your encouragment!

    cvrcall at cox dot net

    I will be encouraging my son's high school counselor. She puts out so much time, effort and energy that she needs to filled back up again.

    And it seems to me many's favorite:

    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."

  40. Hate when that happens and work is not saved!!!

    tlgoldbach131 at verizon dot net

    My favorite scripture is also Jer 29:11, I have reminders of it all over my house! And it was read at my 2nd wedding. My first husband passed away and I knew that marrying my best friend the 2nd time was God's plan for my future to have hope.

    I will encourage a friend of mine this week, she always needs encouragement for so many reasons! I usually forward P31 devotions to her but I think she finally signed up to get them on her own!

  41. Danette
    danetteh07 at gmail dot com
    I will be encouraging my friend Lisa who is on the Made to Crave journey with me. I'll do that by giving her scriptures daily, praying for her and holding her accountable (we are accountability partners).

    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…You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

  42. townsendbjzb at century link dot net
    I am going to send a card to two friends in our church. One has 10 month old twin girls (I can't imagine the stress of two at once) and the other has recently taken over the bulletin and prayer list. I want them to know I think they are doing an awesome job!
    This isn't a favorite scripture, but at the first of the year we started 'Goodnight Warrior' devotions with our 6 year old and they have been such an encouragement to me as well!

  43. How frustrating…

    leitha03 at yahoo dot com

    My friend Chanda who is a mother of three battling some big demons.

    My fav ver of the bible: Romans Chapter 8

  45. lcraddockrn at gmail dot com

    I'll be encouraging my 3 children as we continue our homeschool adventures. They're all learning some new things this week that are proving to be a challenge!

    LOVE Proverbs 3:5-6

  46. denise at lci-lineberger dot com

    I will be encouraging my co-worker who is having family problems. I will let her know she is not alone, and she has friends that care about her.

    My favorite encouraging verse is one that I see in Karen Kingsbury books, Jeremiah 29:11.

  47. Thank you for your encouragement and letting the Lord use you to inspire others.

    [email protected]

    I will be encouraging a friend who is struggling with her job right now.

    My favorite encouraging scripture is: "I am the Lord, thy God. Is anything to hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27

  48. lorinicholson at triad dot rr dot com
    I will encourage my friend Janet, who is a wonderful godly leader.
    I love in Zephaniah where the prophet says "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing."

  50. Going to encourage my friend who has loved on our family a great deal during some rough times. winsomsouls at gmail dot com. Melissa