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 will be encouraging my daughter-in-laws mother who is also a very good friend. She lost her Dad to cancer in November and is very bitter toward God and going through a very bad time of depression.
Favorite scripture:
I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me. Phil 4:13
I found your blog for the first time today from the Prov 31 devotional email. So glad I clicked on through.
My email is proudbamama at hotmail dot com
I will tangibly encourage my friend, Carol, this week… in fact, TODAY! Thanks for prompting me to do so. 🙂
Blessings…
Encouragement is very important, and I realize that I need to be more encouraging towards my husband, so I'm going to concentrate on that.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
emleepc at yahoo dot com
Hi – I will be encouraging my niece this week as she struggles with being single and raising 2 young boys. My name is Kim Beasley and my email is [email protected]. I also love Jerimiah 29:11…"for I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord". At a time in my life when I was feeling so lost, confused, and pointless, that verse was a new beginning in my walk with Jesus.
Thank you!
Kim
Just came to your blog for the first time today from the Prov 31 daily devotional. So glad I clicked on through this time. 🙂
My email is proudbamama at hotmail dot com
I am going to tangibly encourage my friend Carol this week… actually TODAY! Thanks for prompting me to do so!
Blessings…
yaya_0527 at hotmail.com
I will be emailing some fellow teachers at my school and letting them know how much I appreciate their friendship and also how much I look up to them as women and teachers.
My favorite life verse:
But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
Leigh Anne Hutto
Hi Renee,
My e-mail address is [email protected].
I will be encouraging my 5-year old son this week, who is having a difficult time coping with Daddy being overseas.
My favorite verse 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."
Hi Renee,
I am going to encourage my friend, Kathy, this week. She is in a "blah" moment.
One of my favorite encouraging verses is Ephesians 4:29- "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
[email protected]
My favorite verse is Matt. 6:33, Seek ye first the kindgom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. I have already forwarded your devotional to several friends and a sister struggling and written a note to each one. I always like to include in my notes several verses that apply to the specific trial they are going through, not my life verse necessarily. Notes really do matter and lift our friends' hearts and sustain them through their difficult times. They show our love and that we are there for them, walking the hard path with them, not just the joy journey.
Sweet Blessings and a great devo reminding us to take time for what matters to nurture those friendships.
Donna
Sorry to hear about the loss of your post.
we4millers at gmail dot com
I will be encouraging my Aunt who is going through a very tough relationship struggle. Listening to her mostly right now and reassuring her that God is able to keep her through all things.
Jer 29:11 is one of my favorites.
Dawn
name: Heather
email: jchpod at sbcglobal.net
I plan to continue encouraging myself. I also plan to encourage my sister in Christ as she works for the city police. I will also plan to encourage my daughter to make good choices that honor God.
Bummer about your post…
My email is [email protected];
I have three daughters all teenagers, and I will be encouraging them to be strong in their faith when other temptations are facing them, from college exams, to high school drama and jr high drama!
My favorite scripture is from Micah 6:8 And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Praise the Lord!!
My email is:
eluvjazz2 at yahoo dot com
I will be encouraging all of my co-workers this week!! We are facing major cuts in our program and we are speaking at the school board meeting on Monday night.
My favorite scripture is Gen. 50:19-20
"But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Be blessed!!
Hello Renee!
palulu at verizon dot com
I am going to encourage a co-worker that has been struggling in her faith and her relationship with her husband. She also seems to compare what she lacks, financially, to other people and feels that she does not measure up as a person.
My encouraging scripture 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.
God bless you!
Charissa
I have an employee who is in his 40's having triple bypass surgery today. He is not a Christian and has openly rejected Christianity, but he was receptive when I told him last week I would be praying for him. Fellow employees have all signed a card that says we will all be praying for him and will send it to him today for encouragement. Isaiah 41:10 is encouraging to me as is your devotional today! Our heat has gone out, my daughter is home sick and I am going to a specialist Thurs. for a pinched nerve in my lower back. I know that God will take care of everything, but I hope I will be better next week to attend your conference on the 19th! God Bless you for all that you do to encourage others! mckeels at hughes dot net
Hi, I am new to your blog and wanted to say that you inspire me. I am sorry you lost your post, but I am confident that God is editing your post as you ponder a new one. He has something even better to say and needs to get it out there today. Thank you for being His vessel.
[email protected]
I will be encouraging my mother in a few moments. She often questions God's wisdom and my father is at this moment going in for a biopsy on his prostate. His father died of prostate cancer and they are concerned. I know God is so much bigger than anything we even imagine. He loves us all so much.
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.
I sent that verse by text to her in the hospital. Thank you for encouraging me to encourage her.
God Bless you.
agggghhhh….computer crashes!!!
my name is Kelley and my email is steelerspensfan at yahoo dot com
Ever since I was young, my favorite verse is Ephesians 4:32
I am going to try to encourage my friend, Cathy. There is "drama" with her 2 girls(one 15, the other 9). I am going to send her a card or ecard at work.
Yanna Westmoreland [email protected]
Bryan, Tx
I just found your post and know I will be blessed and encouraged entering into it. God is so good.
I have been keeping up with Joanne and plan to leave an encouraging comment to Joanne, Toben, Audrey, and Emma each and everyday. My favorite verse is "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge, His faithfullness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4
i love to encourage the ladies in our Wed night Bible Study and Sunday school on Sunday mornings; we are working thru Lysa's study How to become more than a ….., enjoying it.
one of my favorite scriptures is
Phil 4, 6-7. This scripture became so real & alive to me years ago when I lost my job.
[email protected]
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