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!
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.
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.
Angel Pyles
[email protected]
Jer. 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
Suzy
Suzy at qbooksnj dot com
I wish to encourage several people this week . may the Lord help guide me by His Spirit to just those people He wants me to encourage. It is only through He that has taken my mess that is able to make it a message. Come Holy spirit and lead the way. I am just a sinner lost in my flesh daily . I have been blessed myself by the gift of encouragement and surrender all to you Father to allow me the privalege to encourage others in my home ,workplace, relationships, and with complete strangers. Thank you.
Suzy
Suzy at qbooksnj dot com
I wish to encourage several people this week . may the Lord help guide me by His Spirit to just those people He wants me to encourage. It is only through He that has taken my mess that is able to make it a message. Come Holy spirit and lead the way. I am just a sinner lost in my flesh daily . I have been blessed myself by the gift of encouragement and surrender all to you Father to allow me the privalege to encourage others in my home ,workplace, relationships, and with complete strangers. Thank you.
Billie Collier
biddy332 at sbcglobal dot net
One of my favorite passages:
2 Peter 1:3-11
Karen
segos 4 at comcast dot net
I will be encouraging my kids and husband this week. Sometimes I try to encourage them by sending a text with words of encouragement or a verse. I also pray before I walk into the office each day that I can be a blessing & encouragement to my coworkers. My favorite verses are Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
I will be encouraging my kids and my husband this week. Sometimes I try to encourage them by texting them a word of encouragement or a verse. I also pray before I walk into the office each day, that I can be a blessing & encouragment to my coworkers. My favorite verses are Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Michelle
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my husband as he works out of town by sending him devotionals ( like yours ) . These are gender neutral ideas. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart br pleasing to you,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Thank you for the window of opportunity to witness the encouragement of others.
My address is: [email protected]
I will be encouraging my husband who fears I will never become employed again.
My favorite scripture is John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Blessings to you and yours!
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my daughter who is struggling with her job search in the nursing field.
My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. This is a verse that God has planted in my heart time and time again.
My email address is SueNabb at Gmail dot com.
I would encourage my grand daughter who just moved in with us. She is fighting a drug problem and needs serious prayer and encouragement daily as do I.
My favorite encouraging Bible Verse is Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Rebecca
tiggerdaisy at gmail dot com
I plan to encourage several people this week: my best friend, a few women at church, my grandmothers and my husband! 🙂
Encouraging verse: I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14
Can't wait to hear more on this topic!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
cain4him at hotmail dot com
I will be encouraging my employer, her dad is very ill and I'm sure she'll encourage me as I've needed it since the Christmas Eve passing of my hubby.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. One of the scriptures you quoted is one of my life verses, Isaiah 43:1.
gplhome at sbcglobal dot com
I would send encouraging words to my daughter Becca who is expecting her first baby – my first grandchild. She is far away from home in Hawaii. Her husband Zach is in the Navy.
"From the end of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint (overwhelmed) lead me to the rock that is higher than I.For thou hast been a shelter/refuge for me, a tower of strenth against the enemy." Psalm 61:2,3
You are a blessing!
jobotopher at msn dot com
I will be encouraging a 17-year old mother who will be having a funeral for her baby this week.
My encouraging verse is: Jesus wept. John 11:35
Thank you Renee. This came at just the right time!
I will be encouraging a friend who just had eye surgery and will need to be face down for 10 days! Our small group of 4 (she's one of us) will be joining her for our girl time this week, sitting on the floor by her bedside, looking up as she looks down.
One of my favorite verses 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."
Love your blog!
clhklavier at netzero dot net
Sorry you lost your post.
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my 2 sisters. One who broke her arm and because of it lost her new job and the other because of a difficult marriage she's dealing with. We all pray for each other and I lost my job over a year ago and am stuggling whether to stay put or to move with one sister. I'm waiting for a word from the Lord to let me know which way I should turn before making this difficult decision. I have never lived anywhere but where I am and it would take a giant leap of faith to do this.
Psalms 23
Thank you!! I am going to write my aunt a note of encouragement. She has been there for me in a big way over the past 3 years as my marriage is resurrected from the ashes of my husbands affair. She is now in need of some encouraging words and I want to be there for her. Thank you again.
mamckinley3 at yahoo dot com
my favorite scripture is:
Isaiah 40:31 "But those who's hope is 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."
I suppose my ladies SS class would be the ones I will be encouraging. Sunday, a longtime member of the class passed away. I'm fairly new to the class and only met the lady once but she had a very magnetic personality and she was a person who shared her faith with everyone, so she will be greatly missed.
On Sunday, I reconnected on Facebook with a friend I had lost contact with and found out since we had talked 2 years ago she has been through a terrible divorce, has low self-esteem, is very lonely, and doesn't know Jesus as her Lord and Savior. I'm praying God will give me just the right words to speak encouragement to her heart. tlpetty218 at gmail dot com
What a great story – I still love to get "real" mail and know how valuable and rare handwritten notes are these day.
I plan on continuing to encourage my sister-in-law as she has been back and forth to the hospital the past week with her son, while at the same time she is preparing to run a half marathon that she has worked very hard to train and prepare for.
While I don't have a favorite scripture – I remember a bible study leader say that the phrase "fear not" or "do not be afraid" was used frequently and I think that is for a reason that God does not want us to be afraid – of decisions, of natural disasters, etc. That not being afraid to live was so important God said it often. I find comfort in that phrase often.
Email is msteltz at sbcglobal dot net
Thank you for your encouragement. It really spoke to me how I need to be more encouraging to the people around me. I am going to start this week by letting a group of ladies know how they blessed me this last week. Have a great week.
jmoull at hotmail dot com
My favorite scripture that God has used in my life for over 18 years of ministry is Jeremiah 29:11. It has been a great part of my life.
God's blessings,
Joy Moull
[email protected]
I will be encouraging (by listening) to my best mom friend as she grieves the loss of her only son (senior in high school)last year and ministers to her husband.
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector or our faith, who for the joy set before him endureed the cross, scouring its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Aimee Tapp
aimee98 at aol dot com
I will be encouraging a friend at work – we're going through a lot of the same things.
My favorite verse for 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
rcolumbus7 at gmail dot com
I am going to send an encouraging note to an old high school friend who I just found out has had a mastectomy. It is not her first bout with cancer & she & her husband have divorced as well.
My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and I love Isaiah 41:10
I loved your devo today….as an insecure mom, I can identify with what you wrote about. I love the uplifting verses you chose-they really spoke to my heart.
I'm going to try to encourage my hubby and help him see how important he is to me. He's a great husband and father.
Amy V. in WI
twinbing at msn dot com
I will be encouraging my daughter as she faces tough decisions about where to go to college in 2012, staying on top of her studies and keeping close since we lost my husband nearly a year ago in March.
I keep 2 Timothy 2:22 written down and posted nearby always.
Janet V
[email protected]
I want to encourage my friend Stephani this week by calling her and hearing how things are going. I want to tell her what a good Mom she is to her 16 year old son.
i love provebs 31 minstiers all who have a hand writes this are truly of and love God! my verse of encorement is love your God with your mind love yourGOd with your heart and sour i donot recall the chapter or verse, jimmy
khartman at tusculum dot edu
I am going to encourage my friend whose father just received a very poor health prognosis.
One of my favorite sets of encouraging verses is Isaiah 43: 2-3. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk though the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
I love this reminder that when we feel like we will be swept away or pulled under by all the "stuff" of life, God promises that indeed we will NOT be overcome!
Sarah Birmingham at [email protected]
First let me say how much I LOVE PROVERBS 31 ministry! I am often forwarding the devotions to people and encouraging them to sign up to receive the daily emails. They have been a huge blessing to me.
One of my favorite things to do is write thanks yous and send out encouragement to those I know are struggling. I am planning to encourage my sister in law who is a mom of 5 ( one being a baby in the nicu born at 23 weeks) who believes that her marriage is over.
I love verses psalm 27:13 and 14 (NASB) I would have despaired unless i had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD
I am new to the Proverbs 31 daily devo's and I am very blessed by them already.
tashalynn31 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging a youth who was previously in our Jr. High youth group. I just found out that she is about to embark on motherhood at the tender age of 17. I am encouraged by the fact that she has chosen to keep her baby and own sacrifice her own childhood for the sake of this precious baby.
The verse that encourages me the most in this situation 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 a hope and a future.
God is in Control all the time.
Thanks, Renee for your encouraging words. I am trying to keep my dear friend Barb encouraged as she struggles with a medical problem that they can't find the answer to. Please pray for her. God Bless!
coopercrew4 at gmail dot com
My girlfriend is going thru a pretty bad divorce after being cheated on 3+ times. Raising three little ones under the age of 10 is not how she wanted her life to turn out. She, like all of us, needs a lot of encouragement, strength and help. I always go back to Isaiah 40:31. Those that hope in the Lord with renew their strength. They will walk and not grow weary, run and not faint. Boy have I had to lean on that over the years!
Brooke
Aloha from Hawaii Renee,
This is my first time reading your blog. Really enjoy it.
Monika
celix1222 at gmail dot com
I will be encouraging my mom as she is going through some major difficulty with her marriage.
My favorite scripture is Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Thank you.
Renee I can't wait until Wednesday when you do your video blog with Jennifer Rothschild. I love her and she is an encouragement to me. A part of that might be because I'm also blind.
My Email [email protected]
I love to encourage others and I usually do it with a quote or poem I come across. I'm not sure who I'll encourage this week but God knows who will be put in my path that needs a word of encouragement.
One of my favorite Scriptures, and this year it's my Scripture of encouragement, is Psalm 91:11
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my daughter and daughter-in-law, who are both new mothers, dealing with the stresses of being a mommy.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Jennifer Lumsdon
smidjen at frontier dot com
I will be encouraging my daughter to be the beautiful girl that God has made her to be.
My encouraging scripture (with my own emphasis): Romans 8:28
And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I am going to be trying to encourage my 19 year old daughter. She is feeling rather lost at this point in her life, not knowing what the future holds.
Proverbs 3:5,6
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.
Matthew 6:33
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Tracy H – [email protected]
Patrice Bullard [email protected]
I will encourage my daughter. She recently moved with her husband to Hawaii, and though that sounds great, she is missing friends and family back here on the mainland. I am praying that God will place them in the right place to meet young couples.
Thanks
Patrice