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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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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
[email protected]
Ckrs326 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my husband today as he puts another round of resumes out. It has been a long process!
My encouragement verse is Jeremiah 29:11
Thank you!
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!
[email protected]
Ckrs326 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my husband today as he puts another round of resumes out. It has been a long process!
My encouragement verse is Jeremiah 29:11
Thank you!
[email protected]
Ckrs326 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my husband today as he puts another round of resumes out. It has been a long process!
My encouragement verse is Jeremiah 29:11
Thank you!
[email protected]
Ckrs326 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my husband today as he puts another round of resumes out. It has been a long process!
My encouragement verse is Jeremiah 29:11
Thank you!
[email protected]
Ckrs326 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my husband today as he puts another round of resumes out. It has been a long process!
My encouragement verse is Jeremiah 29:11
Thank you!
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
[email protected]
Ckrs326 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging my husband today as he puts another round of resumes out. It has been a long process!
My encouragement verse is Jeremiah 29:11
Thank you!
[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!
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.
I am going to encourage Robin this week. Thank you for your encouraging words! [email protected].
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.
[email protected]
my son and wife are expecting their 1st child any day now – i will keep God's will first in their minds