The doorbell rang soon after I got home from dropping off a thank you note at my neighbor house. Surprised to see Janet standing on my front porch, I listened as she held up an envelope and explained: “Renee, this is the most amazing thank you note I have ever read; you have a writing gift and you need to use it.”
I was puzzled. It was only a thank you note after all.
Yet Janet’s words of affirmation stayed with me all afternoon. Her confidence made me wonder if God might use my words to touch the lives of others.
Prayers for direction had filled pages of my journal that month as I struggled to figure out what I was good at.
A few weeks later I attended a women’s dinner series at my church. Taking notes on a napkin, I thought about how nice it would be for the message series to be captured in a booklet so we could remember and apply the lessons in our everyday lives. Then I got the craziest idea: maybe I could write a study guide to give to other women who want to go deeper, too.
Quickly, doubt filtered my idea through reality: Who am I to think I could write something women would want to read?
Unable to get the thought out of my head over the next few days, I finally told Janet. Much to my shock she loved the idea. And she claimed the women’s ministry team had been praying for months about a gift to give the women after the dinners and that this was an answer to their prayers.
A few weeks later, they asked me to write a study guide. I nearly suffocated under the weight of insecurity, but Janet kept encouraging me, praying for me and telling me she believed in me.
With her prayers and prodding I wrote it, and over a thousand copies were given away. Then I wrote another the next year, and then another.
As I think about the impact of Janet’s words on my life and ministry sixteen years ago, I’m reminded of Elizabeth and her words to Mary when she arrived to tell her cousin she was pregnant with God’s child. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! Luke 1:45
What a difference it must have made for Mary to have Elizabeth believe in the promise God proclaimed over her. Today as I think about a thank you note that started the legacy of my writing ministry years ago, I’m so grateful I get to encourage YOU because Janet believed in and encouraged me.
***
Here I sit, sixteen years later, sharing this online study living in a promise I pray almost every day. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within me.” Eph 3:20
This month, I want to honor the difference you make in my life and in each other’s lives through something we’re doing at Proverbs 31 Ministries to recognize and honor women like you and Janet through Legacy Cards we’re sending to those who have touched lives and impacted legacies:
I’m getting one for Janet and my mom {for Mother’s Day}, and a few others who have impacted my life and my legacy.
And today I bought one in HONOR of YOU my amazing online study friends!!
Each time you leave a comment and share your heart, your prayers, your journey with me and with each other — God uses it to spur me on and to encourage one another in so many ways. Whether it’s a few sentences or a few paragraphs, when I read how Jesus is loving on you, how you’re loving on each other or how He’s speaking to you through His words or something I wrote in my book or my blog, it’s a huge deposit of encouragement!! So thank YOU for sharing that part of yourself with me and with us! You impact my legacy sweet friends, and I am so very grateful!
For more details about our Legacy cards click here.
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that is a beautiful legacy card and I thank you very much Renee. That is a beautiful card and I thank you ever so much. I am enjoying your study and it has helped me a great deal. Praise the Lord!!!
I loved what chapter 6 taught me ….think….feel…life you live. I am doing this study for me and have tryed to get my two daughters to do it with me. One was but young life is busy…I hope to share a notebook of this study with them, expecially chapter 6…. there is so much we must know and study on in that chapter. How easy is it for my doubts to arise when I don’t fill my mind and heart with God on a daily basis…I was getting lazy and had to have a talk with myself. Back on track with the study…ready for chapter 7. God Bless all of us that are searching. Thank You and God Bless Renee….thanks for the thank you card : )
Renee you are a blessing to me! I have had this desire to grow deeper into the Word of God and have a desire to work with people who suffer from addictions. I am praying if it is God’s will for me to take classes on counseling or an in-depth study of the bible. I have read ahead to Chapter 8 and it is amazing that everything in this chapter is relating to what I am going through right now. Thank you so much!
Renee, thank you for listening to that “crazy idea” and following the tugging of your heart. The words you have written and prayed over, in your book and the extra boost of encouragement I am receiving through the online study is making a huge impact in my life. Our ladies sunday school class is going through the Unglued study/video right now as well. I have been amazed at how these two resources are working together to change my life at a critical time in my life and for the first time in a LONG time I am actually beginning to experience a twinge of hope that my life has some value. Feeling blessed…..
Thank you, Renee.
You are so welcome!! I pray you feel God’s smile through this note today!
I’ve been depressed all weekend & feeling guilty for feeling this way. I’m struggling with confidence at work as a new RN & hating a job I was so sure God wanted me in. Then I receive your note of encouragement & know God is speaking to me once again. Thank you for persevering & believing in yourself so God can use you to encourage others. Please pray that I am able to do the same. God bless you Renee!
Thank you, Renee, for your encouragement and inspiration!
🙂
Renee, I too have been supported and encouraged to take the leap into my volunteer efforts on behalf of children, especially those children with challenges through coaching a Special Olympic team and as an officer of the board of directors or committees..This all came about because someone believed in me before I could totally believe in myself. May the Lord bless those “someones” today and always! God bless you for sharing your ministry with us as well!
I have already made a donation in memory of my mom and feel blessed to do so! Thanks for helping us to honor and remember our moms and all the other someones in our lives.
Miss Mary T!! I love that!! Oh I bet you feel so blessed to be recognized in that way. What a sweet blessing and encouragement you each and every one of those amazing kids! Yay GOD!!
Renee,
I prayed that God would send a Godly woman in my life to mentor me, because I lacked confidence. I am my biggest critic and I didn’t fill I measured up as a good enough wife, mother, writer and friend. This bible study has opened my eyes in so many ways. I have started a small group bible study in my home with a friend in my home. Who would have thought that I would be leading a bible study! To God be the glory! I am confident that God is going to bless my writing ministry to touch the lives of women around the world, just as he has with you. You are a true Proverbs 31 Woman. Thank you for your transparency and honesty that continues to help me become a confident woman in Christ Jesus. May God continue to bless you. You are truly a blessing to us all.
Wow, that is so amazing and encouraging that you have walked right on through those doubt and into the confidence of opening your home and your heart – and GOD is using you!! Thank you so much for sharing that!! You blessed me!
When we speak of leaving a legacy many immediately go to money. I love thinking and knowing that the legacy God wants us to leave is one of teaching others to love and care for each other through our actions, words of encouragement and support. With that we have everything!
Amen!! That is our lasting legacy!!
This has been a huge blessing to me. This study is helping me realize that I am not alone and that God wants me.
I have to admit I am in a pit right now. Please pray for me. I found out I have two bulging discs in my neck and I have lost all feeling and mobility in my left arm as well as severe headaches. I am on steroids that make my moods everywhere. I feel defeated and helpless. I don’t have insurance so I don’t know what options I have to fix this. I have three children and my hubby works. I don’t have a great support system for helping with my kids. I just feel down and angry. Seems like when things start to go well life hits a tail spin.
Oh Tami, Im praying for you right now!! I have had that same things happen to me and it’s awful. Im so sorry friend. I want to encourage you to rest, put ice on it for 20min intervals and let it heal. I was on steroids and that icing it helped so much too. but it took about a week and it took me slowing down and giving myself and others grace to let things wait while I gave myself time to get better.
Praying hard for your healing!
Oh I will pray so hard for you. I as well have three children and can’t imagine keeping up with them and being in so much pain. I will not Only pray for you but will pray that you have a supporting husband and understanding children that will help you through this. Remember The Lord is with you through every step of this and wouldn’t put you in something that you cannot handle with His loving grace on your side
That is a beautiful story. I am enjoying this book. My grandmother, who passed away 3 years ago had a huge impact on my life. She taught me how to cook, how to be a mom, how to be a better person; and she always believed in me. She was a true angel. I miss her everyday.
Oh wow, what a precious legacy she left for you!! I pray you will feel the warmth of her smile over you today and this coming Mother’s day as you think of her!!
Receiving this note was such a blessing to me, and the study has been helping me so much!!TY for your obedience to our awesome Savior!! 🙂
🙂 Thank you for taking time to leave a sweet note! I meant every word! Ya’ll mean the world to me!
My Dearest Renee, Thank you for the card it made me cry. No one has every told me I I was a blessing to them ok one My mother, and I’m going to send her one of these just to make sure she knows how much I love her for being my mother. Your card has touched my heart like you will never know and so has this study. As for the other lady’s in this study they have also, and I love each and every one of them In Christ love. I have always wanted a sister and now God has given me 1,ooo’s if them. Thank you God for the gift of sisters. Amen
Oh Angela, now Im crying! 🙂 Isn’t Jesus the sweetest? He has been lavishing my heart with so much encouragement through what He’s doing here these past few weeks – seriously I just adore each of you!!
So, this weekend while I traveling to speak I was praying about who to honor with my family’s donation to our Legacy Campaign, and He laid it on my heart for one of the cards to go to all of you!! I was so excited when He gave me that idea. And He knew just how much it would mean to you. I just love Him so much!!
ANd I love that you’re going to send one to your mom. I can’t wait for my mom to get hers 🙂
Angela, I would like to add you are a blessing too. Reading your message makes my heart smile and encourages me to continue my relationship with Christ. Yes, you are a sister to me! Renee, thank you for walking in Christ to bring us all together in this study.
Thank you for allowing God to use you. It gives me hope and confidence to do what He has called me to do. May God continue to bless and strengthen you. May He pour back into you all that you have poured out to others.
Thank you Shonette!! He does that each day that I get to be part of this study with you all!
Thank you so much for sharing, Renee. It is amazing the difference one person’s encouragement can make. And we have to admit that sometimes, one criticism is all it takes to cut down someone’s dream. Our words have so much power, so God wants us to use them for His glory. Having heard so much criticism in my life, I’m quick to doubt myself and just play things safe. But God has been pushing me this year. He is teaching me that I will never see the Red Sea open if I won’t leave Egypt first. It is always amazing to see the Red Sea open, but leaving the comforts of Egypt can be terrifying. God has been teaching me to have courage and confidence, and all the verses in Chapter 6 make great beacons in the road. Praise God!
I love that Julie! And I am SOO very thankful to have you in the study – I see you praying for and encouraging others . You have a gift and I am so glad you are letting God use you to bless and believe in others. It is precious and so are you!!
Just know that you have an enemy who is against you but you have a Savior who is FOR YOU and He wants to silence all that criticism so you can live and give from the security of HIS love for you!!
Thank you. Blessings to you for the work of your words. It’s really funny because our pastor is preaching on pursuing joy and today he talked about how how negative thoughts come from lies then become bad behavior which in turn rob of us job so In turn we have to exchange the lies with truth or then do good behavior and return joy to our lives. This sermon went hand in hand with chapter 6 that we read and the promises we should fill our minds with verses lies. Thank you so much for this book and your words. I guess I really needed this lesson seeing as it came in 2 different forms. Love you Renee.
I love when God does that!! That is one way you can know for sure that He is talking to you – that He loves you – that HE wants you to hear HIS thoughts and be set free by His love, graces and truth!! So glad you are here in this study for such a time as this!
The Lord has blessed my heart so much through your online ‘A Confident Heart’ Bible Study. I recently lost my job and was devastated, worrying about how we would make ends meet, in addition to the destruction of my confidence level that losing my job has caused me to experience. I had already ordered and received your book for this study, so i started the online study and it has been a soothing balm to my soul! God has shown me that I belong to HIM and not to my career or anything else of this world. HE has reminded me of HIS faithfulness to HIS children and that HE will never forsake me. HE has also shown me the blessings in the midst of the trials of job loss. I have been praying for HIS guidance and HIS will for my life. Thank YOU! I will keep you in my prayers for GOD to bless you, your Family, and the wonderful MINISTRY that you are providing for us.
Thank you Pamela!! And Im praying for you too!! I love that God is using “the online study and it has been a soothing balm to my soul!” and that He’s shown you that you belong to HIM and not to your career or anything else of this world.
I’m praying that He will keep reminding you of His faithfulness and that HE will never forsake me. Keep looking for those blessings in the midst of the your job loss. They are there and they are the things that give us hope and keep us going and trusting!! Praying for His guidance in your life!!
I want to say thank you also Renee for giving us a gift from your heart. I also reach out to Pamela I have been where you are and have felt that devastating blow and know your confidence is shattered but remember this God is ever faithful He gave you your career and your gifts , He will and is still working this out for his glory. He started a good work in you and is ever faithful to complete it . I will offer prayers that comfort will devour you and peace in yourself will be your constant companion. God bless you your sister in Christ Helen
Still plugging away and digging deeper (than I’d like) on this journey! Praising and thanking Him for your faithfulness. Thank you for inspiring me and many others.
I was just reading in my journal recently during a time when God was doing some open-heart surgery on my emotions and it was so hard but it ended up being the biggest turning point in my faith and in my freedom from fear, discontentment, doubt and so much more. Im praying for you Dawn and I know you’ll look back and be so glad you were brave enough to do this!! You are so worth the courage it takes – and HE is with you doing immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine!! I love getting to watch from where I sit 🙂
Renee,
God bless you! You are doing great ! Your online study came at the right moment in my life.I did not have a book and God provided me one thr a very caring lady from this blog.God bless her too.
Wow, that is so neat that someone in the study provided a book for you. I love how that will be part of your legacy and hers!