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Renee Swope

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

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

You’re Beautiful

I know you sometimes feel ordinary but you’re not.

You are one of a kind ~ a unique and beautiful blend of all God wants you to be.

You are God’s prized possession, a valued treasure of great worth.

You may feel invisible…like you are just one of millions of others.

But God sees you.

And when God sees you, He sees someone He loves.

In Isaiah 43:4, God says, “You are precious and honored in my sight …. and I love you.”

He sees someone He knows.

David said in Psalm 139:1, “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” God knows you, too.

Since God knows you, has a purpose for you and loves you just the way He made you, I have no doubt He wants you to feel the same way.

He’ll do whatever it takes to help you get to a place of accepting and embracing your His heart for you so you can become the woman HE created you to be!

Here is the song I feel like God chose for you this week. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch, listen and let Him tell you just how beautiful you are! {If you are reading this via email, click here to watch it since it’s not viewable thru email.}

You really are…

Beautiful

Loved

Cherished

Chosen

Treasured

Sacred

You are His!

May God’s sweet affirmations replace all those comparisons. As you identify, understand and embrace who HE created you to be, I’m praying that, like the psalmist, you’re learning to say with confidence, “Lord, You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb, I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Ps. 139:13-14)

***

To celebrate God’s heart for you —  my friends at DaySpring have graciously given me 5 sets of  “God’s Heart For You” giveaways to share with 5 of you!! {{so excited!!}}

To enter the “God’s Heart for You” GiveAway share your answer to one or more of the questions at the end of the chapter 8. OR if you haven’t read that far yet, share your thoughts about today’s music video or blog post. Can’t want to hear from your heart :-).

Comments

  1. I have been trying to get away from the comparison trap forever. When I was young my mother would use comparing techniques to get me and my older sister (one year apart in age) to compete with each other and do more work, or do it better than the other. Unfortunately I still see us doing this. I love her so much and wish this wasn’t still present in our relationship. I once heard someone say that it is very hard to compete with one another but very rewarding to cooperate with one another. That is so true and I know that God would rather we did and then we all win! And, we can discover who He created us to be and complete each other while we celebrate and encourage one another. Thank you Renee for helping me to put that into words and to see from God’s perspective. It has troubled me for a long time.
    The video is sensational and a blessing for sure.

  2. I have not gotten that far in Chapter 8, but I just love the music. Last time you had Mercy Me on your blog I downloaded You are Beautiful and two other songs. It just makes me cry. The Lord does love me.

  3. Beautiful post today. It really reminded me of something Holley Gerth would write, so it’s fitting that you are doing a God’s Heart for You giveaway!

  4. Hearing this song–along with seeing the lyrics and pictures–gave me goosebumps and tears. We are all beautiful, aren’t we!!

  5. I definitely struggle with what my hearts desire is and I’m making attempts to figure it out as you suggested in Chapter 8 by just pursuing God. I feel like I’m seeing conformation throughout the studies I’m doing in my pursuit to know Him more. Just finished a series with a womens study at church “Faithful Abundant True” (a workbook/video series)..one of the speakers was Beth Moore and not a few days after finishing it…I was reading the quote you placed regarding Beth Moore in your book.. Very cool… I feel like I’m doing what I’m suppossed to do as far as pursuing the Most High…and that in itself…makes me more Confident! Praise God! 🙂

  6. What a “Beautiful” song!! As I listened to the words, I started jotting them down…..”beautiful, loved, cherished, chosen, treasured, sacred…because you are HIS.” I started thinking about several Divine Appointments God had me on this past week….friends in crisis; God giving me the perfect words to share with them. At first I felt some intrusion on “my time” …. but I was obedience and gave my friends all that God laid on my heart. Oh, Precious Lord, HE blessed me ten-fold.

    I’m inspired — going to make some greeting cards with these affirming words on them….to send to these friends in need of lifting up! Thank you for touching my heart in such a BEAUTIFUL way!

  7. You know I heard a speaker on the radio today say “God did not call you to look good (physically), He called you to bring Him glory” Then I read your post today…..Man I know that God sees nothing but beauty when He looks at me. I need to pray to see myself through His eyes….I pray for Him to show me others through His eyes all the time, now is the time to pray “Lord show me what you see when you look at me” WOW, thank you I needed today’s words.

  9. Thank you for all the comments. It’s so nice to hear that I’m not the only one who has these feelings and self doubt.
    I was reading the book and got away from it, but I know in my heart that I HAVE to continue reading it. I loved the picture of the 2 children. I posted it on my FB wall and printed it out for my boss.
    Thank you for your ministry.
    God Bless all you ladies with these struggles.

  10. I have struggled for what seems like a lifetime with who I am. I always was doing what others thought I should do. I have been married for 28yrs. Taken care of 2 children. Who are now grown. I have 3 beautiful grandaughters. So, I have not really known what “I” enjoy doing for most of my life! I will be 52 in May!
    This study has been both hard and perfect for me! I have one too many fears and doubts that have caused me to run, burnout and crash! I am learning that I am a child of God! And He thinks I am all right! And even though I am now trying to figure out what my gifts and what His dreams are, I am trying to trust Him with my life & future. I have always been co-dependant. But, yet within my marriage, as someone has pointed out to me, I have been alone. But, with God’s help I will be okay! So, with the help of this study and my church and most importantly the help of God I CAN Do all things in Christ Jesus and I CAN be all that God wants me to be!!

    • Keep reaching, and walking like the poem that was posted last week! Right with ‘ya on the age, with 3 sons and 1 grand daughter and the realization of not being alone at times is overwhelming and I need to step back a bit. But glad to see/hear you are still here, as hard as it is..like for me looking in the mirror

  11. Question #1- When we compare ourselves to others we compare ourselves on the inside to what we see in them on the outside. Very true. First time hearing that! Was able to share it in a leadership development class at work!!! 🙂

    PLEASE pray for my 10 year old grandson. Bullying, lying, stealing…HEART BREAKING. I am showing him today’s song tonight and telling him to picture a 10 year old little boy in every picture. That is who I saw in every frame and thought of through the entire song.

    Thanks!

  12. I wish I could see myself more like how God sees me! This has been my struggle for quite sometime now. Thanks for sharing the music video – beautiful!

  13. Also being a little behind I did not answer any of the questions. However that didn’t stop me from jumping ahead to see what the chapter was about. Then to the answers, and I stopped. I was doing the very thing this chapter was about comparing myself to those who are so ahead of me in the study. So I stopped and will get to that chapter when I get there. But will share as much as I can

    But I did listen to the song and was also brought to tears. Just to know that Jesus is sitting up in heaven looking down -on me- was enough to make me look up and smile.

  14. I have never heard this song before. Thank you so much for sharing. It spoke right to my heart. Thank you so much for what you are doing for all the Women I know you are touching. Your emails that I receive weekly are always an encouragement, especially today’s email.

    be blessed in Jesus’ name!
    Amber

  15. This was just what I needed to hear today! Been a rough week & started feeling sick last night which made it even harder to sleep than usual. As a result, am struggling more than normally do with believing that “I am beautiful” and God really does have a purpose for my life. Thanks so much for allowing God to speak through you!

  16. This chapter has really hit home with me. I have been asking and praying for God to reveal my gifts and where I fit in at my church and what my strengths are. I have spent so much of my life worrying and caring about others that my dreams and desires have been buried. I am really doing some searching and talking to God and He is revealing and placing me in some ministries that I can help and make a difference. The best part is that they are things that I already enjoy!! My Tuesday night Bible Study has lessons on the same subject….Our Gifting…..so this must be something God wants for me to know. I am receiving this from several areas in my life. Thank you for helping me figure this out. I absolutely love this study and many truths from it are in my spirit!!

  17. Out of all of the chapters, actually this is the one I’ve struggled with the most! I have done different personality tests over the years as well as different giftings tests to determine my giftings. I identified with you Renee when you said in the book that you felt like a split personality because that’s how I feel too! I always seem to come out even in these tests for all the types and it makes me feel like I really don’t know myself well at all or I’m not doing the test right!

    As a Christian this has been one of the biggest struggles I’ve gone through. I think because of my upbringing and trying more to survive in an abusive household that I didn’t really get the opportunity to discover who I was. Then as I got older and became a Christian I think I tried to be the person that I thought others would accept or that I wanted to be because I liked them better than me. So I never really discovered the me God created me to be. I feel like “she” is buried underneath the “she” I created to be accepted and loved through my life. Whenever my husband has asked me what my dreams/desires are, I’ve always come up with a blank. I always thought it was to be a wife and mom and would tell everyone before I got married that’s all I wanted. I think it was more because I didn’t have anything else to say. I am so thankful to be a wife and mom, and am so thankful to the Lord for fulfilling that desire in my life but I know there is more inside of me, and I think I know what a couple of them are, but it’s the struggle of wondering if they’re “my” dreams/desires because I want them to be or if they’re actually from the Lord!

    So as I said I’ve struggled with this chapter and really haven’t been looking forward to doing it, especially since I’m actually leading a group of women through the study! Renee, if you could give some direction as to books you may have read or what you did to uncover your talents, gifts, desires and passions, it would be so much appreciated. I so want to be content knowing who God created me to be with the talents and gifts He’s placed in me so that I can be that servant that doesn’t hide what He’s given me and not use it for His glory.

    Love and blessings!

    • Suzanne, the book I read that helped me most was “What You Do Best in the Body of Christ”by Bruce Bugbee and Personality Plus and Personality Puzzle by Florence Littauer.

      Instead of looking at the strengths and weaknesses – look at the emotional needs of each trait. Which two describe what you desire more than anything: FUN, PEACE, PERFECTION or POWER/CONTROL? What do you long for most to recharge? People, quietness, beauty or tasks? Those are some of the things that might help you if you can identify them first.

      Also, I wanted to share with you is that my husband scores pretty evenly on all of the personalities. I believe Florence Littauer says that is a sign of a Phlegmatic because they are like Chameleons and become what others need or what a situattion requires due to the laid back temperament of that personality. I know my husband is definitely phlegmatic based on his main desires and emotional needs – although he has a lot of the strengths of almost all of the personalities.

      And on a good note, I bet Jesus was a little of all four personalities so maybe it’s not a downfall afterall 🙂

      Keep seeking Him and simply be available each day to love and serve and rest and relax right where He calls you to!!

      • Renee, thank you so much for your encouraging words! I really am encouraged with what you shared about your husband’s personality and how the evenness of the personalities indicates being adaptable to people/situations. I never thought of it that way before! I was encouraged too when you said you believe Jesus is a little of all four personalities! 🙂 I love that and will remember it too! So I’m on the hunt for the books you recommended and will continue to trust the Lord as I seek His will for my life that He has me where He wants me now and will continue to lead me to where He needs me/wants me to be, AND I’ll learn to relax and rest in Him! 🙂

        Blessings!

  19. i havent started reading chapter 8 yet,still on chpt 7. but i did see the video by MERCY ME on your beautiful. it was very good and has alot of truth in it. sometimes i dont feel beautiful or have any self-worth. but its a beautiful song and hits to the heart. thankyou for showing this video. i will continue reading chpt 7. but have been busy. i do ask for prayer for my brother,hes struggling with cancer. its hard right now. but will try to keep up in the book.
    sincerly
    judy.

    • Praying for you and your brother Judy. So sorry for all you are going through – but so glad you have a copy of the book and can read as time allows. Take your time and just let Jesus love you through each page!! I’ll be leading another study so you can go through it again if you want to if you need to take more time this time around.

      • Renee, am glad you will be leading another study. In a past devotion, there was a gentleman who had read through the Bible 17 times, and each time he said that there was something new he discovered. Your book, Renee, has touched so many lives. In reading the comments of those sharing their hearts, encouraging one another, praying for each other, one can see the changes and growth of the ‘sisters’; it’s exciting to see the Lord working in lives.

  20. Rene PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, tell me the artist of that song You are Beautiful. It ministered to me at the Exact Time I needed it. All day long I have been feeling UGLY, FAT, UNLOVED and UNAPPRECIATED. This video gave me a BREATH of FRESH AIR and I will be able to complete the rest of this day HAPPY. Thank you and please let me know who did this song so I can go and buy it IMMEDIATELY. I also believe this song should be the THEME SONG for so many hurting teens in the world today; not just teens, but ALL CHRISTIANS/NONCHRISTIANS who are HURTING.

    • Cynthia, the artist is Mercyme! I so love the words to this song. I have listened to it many times and it never gets old. It’s a reminder to me how God feels about me. 🙂

    • As Michelle shared the song is by Mercy Me. They are an amazing group of worshippers/artists! LOVE so many of their songs!! So thankful Jesus knew it was just what you needed to hear – just WHEN you needed to hear it!!

  21. With my 12 year old daughter having surgery in the morning, I have been having issues getting this week’s lesson done. I did complete it this morning. PTL!
    I love the song by Mercy Me! It fits with this chapter, because that is one of the truths that I have to keep telling myself! God loves me because he created me. I might have issues with other people, but I can rest in God, for He loves me no matter what!

  22. What did you read in this chapter that can help you break free from the comparison trap?
    Page 143 – “Am I doing what God may be calling others to do, while leaving undone what He is calling me to do?”

    Lord, please reveal to me who it is that You want me to be, not who I think I need to be…not my will but Your will Oh Lord! – In Jesus name, Amen

  23. (I am a little behind and have not finished Chapter 8, so I will not be answering any of the end-of-chapter questions.)

    WOW — what a wonderful message and video!!! Of all of the images, the ones where Jesus and a child are embracing grip my heart the most. I absolutely the love the feeling of my children’s embrace. Just think of how much my Heavenly Father delights in my embrace (and vice versa!).

    God has blessed me so many times today with his encouragement and his acceptance. This has been a GLORIOUS day in the Lord. Thank you for deliverying his message!

    • I want to add that today is a new beginning for me. Although I have been a Christian for a long time, God spoke to my heart so clearly this morning and made it clear to me that I needed to turn everything in my life (small and large) over to Him to take care of. I have heard that I should do this a thousand times, but my heart “got it” this morning. Looking forward to what God will do with my life now that I have completely turned it over to Him and His plan.

      • PRAYING FOR YOU MISTI – SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR RESPONSE TO GIVE HIM ALL OF YOU!! YOUR WHOLE HEART MIND AND SOUL!

  24. Renee I do not have your book but it is on my list to purchase. This song spoke to my heart. Last February my life was a mess and I really did not know what I was going to do. I actually ran away from home at the age of 65 and did not return for 6 weeks. Once I returned I started attending Celebrate Recovery and God is putting my life back in order. I know that in God’s eyes I am beautiful and no matter what comes my way He will take care of it and the trials I have gone through will make my faith stronger. With God in my corner I have everything I need!!!

  25. I SO needed this right now. Struggling…..and watching the video reminded me how I need to lay my burdens at the cross and rest in His arms. Hearing “you are beautiful” over and over is a blessing. Thank you!

  26. I, like so many of my sisters out there in cyberland, have really struggled with the past few chapters. It’s humbling to realized just how worthy I am.

    My prayer while learning more and more about myself through these questions and Bible verses, etc. is that my daughter will be given this gift of confidence NOW at age 16, not when she’s 42, like me. Thank you, Renee, for showing me this message from God for my daughter. I know that I’ll be a better Mom because you used your gift of writing to share this message with all of us.

  27. Thank you for reminding us, on International Women’s Day, how beautifu we are!

  28. THis chapter for me was very enjoyable. I loved finding my “gift”. I have always known I had a gift of teaching and helping children with learning disabilities. I learned that is actually a “gift” in God’s eyes. I always thought God had a plan for me but I have not totally figured it out but I am not suppose to, he will guide me and I should put my trust in him and he will let me know. This chapter made me smile and feel happy. I am loved unconditionally by God. Nothing could be better.

  29. Got goosebumps! How timely for me…someone said something critical about my appearance yesterday. This video reminded me of who I am in Christ! I plan to read the book after I finish my “Made to Crave” discipleship group. Keep up the wonderful work for the Kingdom!

    • Jenn: I feel the same way about needing this a long time ago. But then again as a teenager I probably wouldn’t have been able to believe it. However, I can now! And that is all that matters.
      Blessings.

  31. After our life group meeting tonight, we’ll be starting week 6 and Isaiah 43:4 is actually taking root in my heart, not just my mind. After reading all the FB posts from chapter 8, I’m looking forward to reading that chapter. Thank you, Renee. You have made a world of difference in my life.

  32. Ok, so I haven’t finished reading the chapter yet. In fact, I’ve just gotten started! So I am not sharing an answer to a question, but…. I did want to share that I LOVE the opening quote on the first page of chapt. 8!! That quote excites me! It stirs the passion in me! After I read that quote, my reading got interrupted and I never got back to it that day, but I had a whole day to just chew on that quote and it was cool. So now, I pick up the book to try to read more and I really wanted to share that the sentence on the second page of chapt. made me laugh out loud here in my car as I wait in the “car pick up line” for school. “Feeling like a third grader living in a grown woman’s body, I wondered…” Been there, felt like that!!
    Thanks for the laughter, Renee!
    And thanks again for this book! It’s awesome!

  33. Haven’t finished reading chapter 8 yet but I’m still thinking of what was in the previous chapter about us comparing our inside to someone else’s outside. Funny how something that is so obvious when I think about it never really occurred to me. A great reminder when I am comparing myself to others. Trying hard to break the bad habit of constant comparisons and just concentrate on being the best me I can be.

  34. Just wanted you to know that it has been such a good study and I hope to use it in my life — just knowing that God loves me — een singing and rejoicing over me — is mindbogging!

  35. I love that song. It is such a perfect reminder of how God sees us and how we sound see ourselves. I love this study.

  36. I have finished the chapter but have not answered the questions. I must confess that the last three chapters have been very hard for me to walk thru. Thank you ladies for being real and posting.

    • Praying for you Brenda. This is a tender topic. Praying you feel God’s grace wrapping around you tonight and that You can read His words and hear Him whispering His love and affirmations to your heart. You are not alone. He is there with you – and we are here for you!!

      • Wow it never ceases to amaze me that you take the time to answer. I really appreciate the prayers and kind words. Your book has been a huge step in the healing process that God has been taking me thru. The encouragement from everyone is so uplifting and spurs me on to a better relationship with our Savior. Thank you again for hearing from God and leading this study.

  37. I have not finished the chapter yet, but this song has been one of my favorites for quite a while!! This chapter has been so encouraging to me because I have been on quite a journey over the last several years and while it has been difficult, still is, I know that God has allowed these things into my life to make me let go of everything and cling to Him and what he says about me. This book has helped me in this journey so much. While I’m still unsure what the outcome of a particular situation will be, I know that I’m going to be ok and that with God, I can handle anything. I’m finding my confidence in Him and that is making all the difference! I’m so glad I came across this study on facebook and joined in. It is speaking wonders to me!

    We all are beautiful in His eyes!!

    • I LOVE that you found me and the online study through Spirit FM!! Thank you for sharing that Christy. You made my heart smile so big tonight!

      There truly could NEVER be a more beautiful YOU!!! Thank you for sharing your heart and your story. Praying you see the beauty He’s given you to share. Satan would love for you to miss it completely but trapping you in comparison. Let Jesus love you and radiate through you – you are so much more than you even know!! You are loved, chosen, cherished and treasured!! Shine friend, shine!!

  39. I have learned so much from this book! The Lord has really been working on my heart and I”m so thankful that He led me to read this book just by a simple Proverbs 31 devotional Renee gives on my local radio station-Spirit FM. After hearing her devotionals, I looked up her blog and sure enough it was around the same time she was starting this book study. God’s timing is so perfect, isn’t it?

    All the chapters have been challenging and I’ve learned from all of them, but this one has been especially challenging for me because it hit me right between the eyes with my current struggle. I too often compare myself to my tall, blonde, beautiful, fun loving, talented roommate who has a “magnet” type personality. This really hit me this week, “Comparison causes us to compete with each other, but NO ONE wins. God never intended for us to compete with each other, He wants us to complete one another, celebrating and encouraging each other’s strengths while discovering who He created us to be.” This week I have been embracing Ephesians 2:10 and have been learning more about myself-about the talents God has given me and believing the truth that God made me as His child to fulfill a unique purpose. Another amazing song that relates to this lesson is: “More Beautiful You.” By Johnny Diaz. “You were made to fulfill a purpose that only you could do, there could never be a more beautiful you.”

  40. I’ve heard that song many times, and it touches me each one. But watching the lyrics scroll with it, against the pictures chosen for the video brought a whole new, and much deeper, dimension to it for me. Thank you so much for sharing it as part of your post about all that we are in Christ.

  41. The first thing of chapter 8 struck me and I haven’t been able to let it go. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. I’m trying to narrow down those things that light me up so that I can go out and accomplish what He wants me to do. I’ve had a rough year losing friendships (thought they were) but in the end through this study and another finding HIM, then Him leading others into my life that I never saw coming. I had to rewrite who I am, I am Loved, I am Treasured, and I am Beautiful. A year ago I could not have believed any of them but now I KNOW all of them. Thanks Renee. Many blessings to you and your family.

  42. Looks great Renee! And the post was beautiful! I look forward to sharing with my ladies group!

  43. Question 7, God has been guiding me through a situation that I never thought I would ever be in for the last 3 years. I am standing in the gap for my prodigal husband and my marriage to be restored. Even though it is a dead marriage in the eyes of the world, it is not dead in God’s eyes and He has called me to pray daily and stand on His word that he will move the mountain. Through out this time I have had many ups and downs but God always guides me through. Throughout this time God has placed other women who are going through the same thing in my path and I have been able to share with them what God has taught me. This book has given me the courage to look further into what God has planned for me down the road and how He can use me to help more women. If any of you feel led, prayer is always welcome for my situation, in one week my husband is planning on marrying the OW. Thank you all in advance.

    • Stacia-
      Bless you for listening to God and valuing sacred vows. May God restore you marriage and what Satan has stolen.

    • Praying for you Stacia. God is using you mightily – right where you are, with exactly what you are doing. Your faithfulness inspires me so much!

  44. Hi, This has been an encouraging chapter…(I’ve underlined a bunch…just want to remember…) I can relate to the “undiscovered dreams”…as I lived through others (and am still working on this one). It took me all the way to 50 to start seeing that I have individual gifts that God has given me. Individual trials, individual struggles and things that I thought were weaknesses…that He has made into strengths. I still struggle to accept certain things…some still bring pain, often…but God, being Who He is…knows what He is doing and I must count on that fact. He has used my weaknesses to help others just as you mentioned on pg. 151.

    I compared myself with others because I am more introvert…and extroverts are the ones you see and hear around you, usually…so I thought I was a freak for not being more like them. They would try to pull me into what they were doing, but I didn’t feel comfortable at all. I finally read a book about being an introvert (that a friend had mentioned)…now I understand more about me…and it’s okay to be different!

    I am melancholy (which goes along with introvert often). I used to think melancholy personality was kind of a curse or something…that all the other ones were good, but melancholy was bad. But now I see differently…God has us each made for what He wants us to do in life…we are all a part of the whole. (Like His description of the Body of Christ…each serving a purpose…and together making up the whole.)

    I do believe that God created me with unique desires and dreams. I dream of wholeness (emotional) for members of the Body of Christ…that true healing would come to many people who struggle. I also enjoy the arts (esp. fine arts) and would like to see them resurrected in the Body of Christ…God as Creator and we made in His image…to glorify Him!

    Thanks for the “Beautiful” song…I love that one…still trying to let it sink into my heart though….Seems like something is holding it back…

    God bless!

    • I love that you were long winded — just chatting away. Enjoyed every word — and my favorite part is that you are learning to LOVE your melancholy! We need tender, detailed oriented, sensitive and kind Melancholies!! My heart is smiling thinking about your personality and dreams!!

    • I so understand Carla…I am struggling with the same things…i like wehen we are “long winded” on here…it is a safe place where we can be…I am the same melancholy and have felt the same as yu…So, I guess we both need to embrace it and be who God created us to be…God bless you my sweet sister..

    • Carla, just wanted to say from one melancholy to another…I used to question my personality, too! I felt like there was something “wrong” with me. But God has been tenderly showing me that there isn’t anything wrong with me. He created “melancholies” for a reason. 🙂 He has plans for us just like He does for all of the other personalities. 🙂 So glad He has been showing you the same thing!

  45. Renee: I love all the thoughts about how God wants to use our experiences to encourage others in question 6. One of the ways I believe He is using this fact in my life is through being mom to a terminally ill child. Even this morning at Bible study, the Lord crossed my path with a sweet lady whose path had crossed mine years ago. She said to me:” I can’t believe I’m seeing you today. Do you remember years ago how you encouraged me? I was just telling someone about this yesterday!” To be honest, I didn’t remember how I possibly could have encouraged her, but she went on to explain in great detail. How interesting that something I considered run-of-the-mill, she is still sharing with others, years later. Then God gives me the pleasure of seeing her again and providing encouragement to me through her words! Doesn’t His grace just run full circle?Blessings to you today!

    • Being mom to a terminally I’ll child must be one of the most painful things God calls a mom to. I have spent years taking care of oncology patients and I love that population and their families. I am sure God blesses you greatly. I hope you have WONDERFUL support at your side dear mother! May God richly bless your family right now!

      • Karen – as a cancer survivor 🙂 I thank you for your heart towards oncology. It must be difficult to care for us daily, but I also know that God uses each one of us. Within an hour of my 1st hospital stay (getting the port in) I had a wonderful prayer partner right there in the hospital! She encouraged me through the 1st difficult stay and continues to be there for me each time I go back in.

    • Oh Rachel, I’m so thankful you share this with me/us. I love how Jesus timed it for you to see her. Hoe He gave you that sweet gift of encouragement of being remembered, being used to touch someone else’s life. What a beautiful offering of His love you are!! You are such a picture of faithfully serving right where you are –pouring out His love and mercy, tenderly shepherding the precious flock He’s given you and caring for your little lamb the way you do. I am inspired by your heart, moved to the core by your story and your beautiful faith. Love you to you my sister-friend!

    • Oh Rachel, I’m so thankful you shared this with me/us. I love how Jesus timed it for you to see her. Hoe He gave you that sweet gift of encouragement of being remembered, being used to touch someone else’s life. What a beautiful offering of His love you are!! You are such a picture of faithfully serving right where you are –pouring out His love and mercy, tenderly shepherding the precious flock He’s given you and caring for your little lamb the way you do. I am inspired by your heart, moved to the core by your story and your beautiful faith. Love you to you my sister-friend!

    • Oh Rachel, I’m so thankful you stopped by and shared this today. I love how Jesus timed it for you to see her. How He gave you that sweet gift of encouragement… of being remembered, being used to touch someone else’s life.You are such a beautiful offering-pouring out His love and mercy, tenderly shepherding the precious flock He’s given you and caring for your little lamb. I am inspired by your heart, moved to the core by your story and your beautiful faith. Love you to you my sister-friend!

  46. I was just thinking about how ordinary I am compared to a famous singer or a wonderful writer like Renee and wondering what God created me for. I want to be content in knowing he did create me for something great and beneficial to the world. I am expecting great things and to make an impact in this world.

    • Sher you are so right, God does have great things for you, and only YOU can fulfill them. Keep that beautiful chin held high knowing that He made you to do something wonderful!! I feel inadequate too sometimes. But I just stop myself, pray for God to take that feeling away and in no time at all His grace once again comes to the rescue. I am praying for you too dear sister in Christ. Have a wonderful day today, knowing you are loved!!

  47. I haven’t read far enough to answer the questions…so, I will answer the second part- The video was a great reminder, although I don’t feel it today! I know we are made for so much more than this….but some days, its so hard to remember! I am His and pray to be embrace who HE created me to be.

  48. I compare myself to others as a wife, mother, daughter and in ministry. UGH! God is showing me I don’t have to live by self-imposed rules to succeed. I just have to simply be who He made me.

    As a 41-year-old confident hearted woman, I am finally able to put my dream into words!!! It’s really been an exciting process picking up my Godfidence everyday and recognizing how He can use my uniqueness to glorify Him. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to make an interactive website for my job. I was really nervous about writing the scripts, what to wear and reading the teleprompter. Turns out, I had no need to be nervous; it was the funnest (is that a word?) 4+ hours ever of any job I have ever had! I would love to be on camera sharing my story with other women–I would love to make my living speaking to and ministering to other women in any way, especially this way.

    • So proud of you friend! Praying you will start right where you are video blogging and encouraging women with the gifts and message God’s given you!!

  49. do not have this book BUT this post made me cry…i am a hot mess and yet i come here and read this and listen to sog and Blessed am i by you and God…tytyty :O)

  50. “Has God allowed you to walk through experiences that you can see Him working for good in your life or in the life of others?” Most recently, I have been in probate for 4 years waiting for things to be settled. Over and over I gave the situation to God and said,” Lord this is way to big for me, I give it to you…tell me when to act, but until then I rest that you are in control”. Finally, after 4 years He is allowing me to act. “Will I use this to help others?” You bet!!! My Heavenly Father has a plan for me. I told a young man at the coffee shop today…”God has a plan and He has a lot more brains than me;He has the blue prints”.
    I don’t know what is in the future, but I know who holds my hand.
    ~Shalom~

      • I too truly enjoyed this music video. It touched my heart and bought on different emotions. I have had rough patches this year in my life and this was uplifting to me. I’m a stay at home mom and sometimes I wonder if I should be doing more than this – but after this video and starting this online bible study I know this is what He has planned for me right now. And He will help me to become the woman He knows I will be. Loved, Loved, this music video.

      • This song always makes me feel special! Cherished, treasured, chosen! Thank your for the reminders.

    • God be with you Deena as you go through this trial..The world will try to take our joy but as you said “You bet” God will use it for good!!! Love you sister…Peggy

    • Deena,I can relate with you I’ve been through a lot of trials and just pray to God to hold my hand and be with
      me all the time and I know one day I will find the peace I’d been longing for. God Bless.