Be an Encourager!

An encourager is one who by definition inspires others with hope, courage or confidence.  Don't you enjoy being around someone who is encouraging? Aren't they like a breath of fresh air? Perhaps you are naturally gifted in this area, and it's easy for you to speak kindness and encouragement into those around you.  If on the other hand you are like me, and you tend to see all that's wrong around us, you have to work at it some more.  Just like we work at being purposeful in our daily lives with our activities and goals, I would also like to propose that we be INTENTIONAL with choosing words of encouragement to be spoken to those around us.

Perhaps it's our family members that need to know they are doing a good job, or that they are appreciated for their hard work - don't just think those thoughts, be sure to speak them.

Maybe it's a co-worker, classmate or sweet friend who is battling a difficult time - depression, cancer, loss of a mate, failing grades - what can you do to encourage them through this trial?  Maybe it's just a verse of Scripture that means something special to you, or an inspiring quote that has been encouraging for you, will be just the thing that will encourage another person.

While each of us do not likely have the capacity to change the world, we do have the ability to change one person's day.  The opportunity to bring a smile, squeeze a hand or give a hug for one person is something that can spur others to action as well.  In that small action, we do have the capacity to be world changers.  All it takes is a little thought, a bit of openness to share and encourage.  Be light to someone in your world today!

Womanhood

Not a long post today - just a collective linking of arms in solidarity!  Am I right?

I hope you laughed - Laughter is the best medicine, and I needed a few laughs this week.  Praying for you all this weekend!

The Place for Pause

I'm not sure about you but rest doesn't always come easily for me. As a goal oriented person, I'm typically working on the next project, next job, next assignment, and the list is never ending.  I'm writing and re-writing my ideas, to-do's and dreams, and I rarely rest. As a matter of fact, this Saturday was the first time that I can remember since February that I sat down and watched a movie on the television.  I know it seems a bit odd, but when I was determined to finish writing my novel, my tv watching/relaxing days went out the window.

I enjoyed the break this weekend.  I needed it.  Mentally I am drained, and emotionally I'm teetering on discouraged.  I have so many ideas and dreams, but no one idea/dream is actually moving the needle forward currently, and I'm feeling a bit down.  It's time to work out another 90 day goal, I need to write about my year long experience getting up before dawn, and I need to finish editing a novel so I can force someone to fall in love with it.  I mean, so I can pitch it with passion to an editor who will publish it.

But I am struggling.  Even trying to figure out what to blog about to encourage you my friends and readers was a challenge for me today.  So instead I just decided to be real and hopefully whatever difficulty you face today, the reality that we are all struggling to move forward maybe will be an encouragement.

My pause has become connected to one of the projects the Lord started with me this year.  My pause has ministered more to me than anything, and I just love that sometimes the Lord uses it to bless others.  In just a few days, it will be almost 6 months into this project.  I had no idea I could do this for this long, or that it would be a blessing to others.

So today I want to share a page again that maybe will bless you too - and maybe you'll find a place to pause and to reflect on God's goodness and provision for us.  These words encouraged me today and I hope they can encourage you also!

If you'd like to download this page and print it out to color - just click here.

Beauty from Ashes

Many years ago I had fostered a small dream of one day making a living composing music  and being published.  I worked up the courage to complete a song, record it and send it in to a nationwide songwriting contest and waited for my critique to return.  I say worked up the courage because frankly sending anything out to be critiqued is a frightful prospect for me! This particular year had been and would continue to be a very dark time for us personally.  We struggled greatly, and God was consistently answering "no" to our urgent prayers.  It was a season of darkness, and I struggled to find my footing.

The result of the contest was an honorable mention, and the offer of a contract.  Unfortunately, at the time, I viewed it as a lost cause and that music writing was not for me.  I had written some other things at this time, but felt dissatisfied because the songs were very strained and lacked hope.  I decided that I wait to continue composing until I could be on the other side of the trial we were under.

Recently, I listened to someone recount a somewhat similar story.  He had gone through a particularly dark time, and as a creative person he had told stories to his young children each night.  He made up new adventures each night, and the kids begged for more.  But during his night season, he couldn't create anymore and harshly told his children that he didn't have any more stories and don't ask anymore.  He has now found himself on the other side of his trial, and looks back with some regret but with the desire to redeem those moments now with his grandchildren.

It reminded me of my moment.  I spent time contemplating this weekend, and realized that as I was working on a proposal for another project that I thought I still had the paperwork from this song.  I pulled out the critique they had sent me way back then, and read through it again for the first time in nine years.  And I cried.  I cried because the words that should have encouraged me back then hadn't.  I read generous words of hope on those pages, that should have given me hope then, but in the midst of my circumstance I couldn't hear them.  I don't even remember reading them. Ever.  As I read them this weekend, it was as if it was the very first time I had heard them.

Do you have something in the past that caused you great pain?  Was there hope offered to you in a time of trial, that maybe you missed because you were hurting too badly?  Let that encourage you today friend, because you can continue encouraging someone else with the knowledge that maybe they can't hear you today.

Keep telling them to keep their chin up.

Maybe they can't receive hope yet, because the way seems too dim.

Keep offering hope anyway.  

One day, in retrospect, the words may be a soothing balm or a sweet honeycomb that helps to encourage them in the future.

And friend, if you are the one hurting, keep grasping to the hope offered to you from friends and family, even if you need to hear it again and again.  Eventually the words will settle in your heart and mind, when you get beyond your current suffering.

Press forward, without looking back, and keep your eye on the prize!

When God Speaks

The hummingbird buzzed my head as I was watching the sun rise. I didn’t see it. Instead, I heard the distinct whir of its wings immediately thinking “That’s a hummingbird!” Sure enough, it was a hummingbird, there and gone, but unmistakable by the sound of its wings.

My mind traveled to my children and the way I have learned to recognize their voices. That alert panic that enters your soul when you hear the cry of “Mom” with a note of something desperately wrong in it, or the joy of the sweet sound of laughter involving something fun and exciting. A parent just knows when it’s their child.

Just as swiftly as I thought about my children and the fact that I can pick their voice out of a crowd, I thought of my Heavenly Father. Just as I have learned as an ordinary person to listen to the sounds around me and connect them with what I see and know, how much more extraordinary is it that we can listen to what our Heavenly Father says to us. How awesome it is that when we spend time reading His words, meditating on His Scriptures, and talking with him in prayer, we can learn to hear the sound of his voice. The very fact that He knows me, and knows my name, and chooses to dwell in relationship with me fills me with awe.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Read His Word. Follow His leading. Walk Faithfully.

Busyness

Hey friends, Today is not a long blog post, but just a quick note to my friends who visit here looking for a word or two of encouragement.

First, I apologize that I am not terribly regular at posting here yet.  I'll get better, I promise.  I seem to manage to get something posted each day on the Facebook page, but I haven't been consistent posting here.

Second, thanks for sticking with me anyway!  Without readers, then there would be no point to posting.  My goal with this blog is to definitely encourage you, and so many of us need to hear a word of encouragement in our day.  The world tries very hard to bring us down and discourage us about the difference we are making, but I want to be back here applauding your efforts and encouraging you forward.  Take the next step and don't look back - you aren't going that way.

I'm going to share a couple links so you know what I've been up to and if you are not a member of the Facebook page yet, definitely join up - you'll be glad you did!

This week I finally completed my self imposed challenge to memorize the book of James.  I am so excited that I was able to accomplish this.  And it was most definitely the grace of God that allowed it because my brain was addled most days! here's the link if you'd like to verify that I actually did it :)

https://youtu.be/IQQTSaHV2qc

Last week, I completed a project that I had worked on that should be published later this year.  It's a contracted work for hire, and I was so excited to play a small role in it.

This month, I am helping with Beauty and the Beast, Jr. at our local community theater, DFT and teaching vocals - which is also keeping me very busy.

Lastly, I just worked on a new post about life lessons over on my other blog, if you'd like to see it - go here

I'm working on some ideas for posts here, so I'll be back in the next few days - promise :)  In the meantime I pray you will each have a very lovely weekend with your families, and will find time to rest!

If you find it hard to rest, then go here, and meditate on God's word and color for a little downtime.  I love today's passage - so meaningful AND encouraging!

When the Music stops

I was recently talking on Facebook with a college friend.  She has had some very grave trials in her married life and she is just starting to take up her music again.  She is a talented singer, pianist and teacher.  It reminded me of a dark time in my life, when it seemed like that thing that I loved so much, music, and writing music, made no sense anymore.  My writing was dark, and not hopeful, and I stopped composing.  I stopped playing because it just felt fake. I wonder have you been there?  Have you encountered a time maybe when your joy was less than full and the thing that you loved brought you more pain than happiness?  My musical journey has been more painful than anything, and yet it's still something that I have invested a lot of time and energy in.  God has blessed in amazing ways but not always the way I wanted him to.

I was thrilled my friend, had enough distance from her trials to be able to feel the music again.  Whether you are in the middle of the pain, just starting or just ending a trial, there is hope.  God is our lamp in the darkness and while he doesn't remove our pain or grief, He does promise to walk with us through the darkness, and to turn into eventually into light! (II Sam.22:29)

I hope you find encouragement here.  Tragedy doesn't keep us sidelined forever.  God makes a way for us to make the music again.  My prayer is that you can find great comfort in these words!

Living lives filled with intention

Recently on my other blog, I wrote about the differences between good intentions and being intentional.  If you haven't read it yet, please check it out here http://lifelessonsinmyhead.com/good-intentions-vs-intentional/ While this blog post will be similar, I promise it's not exactly the same.  As women I find that we are often filled with incredible guilt.  This guilt comes in many forms, and sometimes I suppose can be well founded, but for me personally, the guilt I "feel" is 100% self induced and false.

• I'm not sure what you might feel guilt about, but perhaps you have had these thoughts in the past, or have them now.
• I'm not a good daughter, I don't spend enough time with my family.
• I'm not a good wife, I don't give my husband the respect he deserves.
• I'm not a good mother, I yelled at the kids today.
• I'm not a good housekeeper, my mother never had a messy house.

Should I continue?  I don't believe that God ever intended or desired us to live under such a heavy weight of guilt and shame.  Instead He desires that we live in victory and enjoy the life He's given us.

Most days I spend time praying that God will fill in the gaps in my kids lives that I am not filling.  I pray that He gives them what they need to become remarkable adults in His kingdom work.  I pray that my husband knows that I dearly love him, and treasure my life with him, even when I forget to show him how much he means.  I pray that a magic fairy will arrive at the house overnight and clean my home so I don't have to. Ok, ok not really, but a girl can dream right?

I pray that you will understand that this false guilt of should haves and should do's  is the enemy working to keep you defeated.  Being intentional in this arena of thought, means getting rid of the thoughts that weigh you down mentally.  Committing every thought to the Father, and asking Him to provide your every need.  May you know His strength and purpose today!

Don't forget the other wonderful resource of coloring pages available to you for daily download.  If you haven't checked it out yet, go here now! www.365fearnot.com 

Book Review & Giveaway!!

Oh! I am so excited to be doing a giveaway!  I received a book to read and review and post on my blog, and I never expected it to be such an encouragement to me! WOW!  So below you will see the review.  But keep reading! Because there you will see the giveaway info as well!  And a bonus!  Amy has a book club Breaking Up With Perfect that will start on August 1. Check out her website www.amycarroll.org to receive more info on the book club!  I've already signed up :)  You can also be added to the Facebook closed group page by clicking here Breaking Up with Perfect by Amy Carroll

I just finished reading this book, and I am sitting here wondering how Amy crawled inside my head and wrote a story about my life.  Coming to grips with my propensity to perfection has been such a lifelong journey, and it wasn’t until after I was married I realized how very deeply entrenched my perfectionistic tendencies were.  Amy describes the Good Girl list so perfectly and I instantly identified with this idea.  What I was surprised by though, was the way she included the Never Good Enough girls.  I had never thought about this group of women in this way.  My heart has always longed to encourage and many times, the women I find myself encouraging could fall onto that list.  I had never connected the perfection problem for them as well since it’s looks different then the Good Girl list.

Her insights on friendships and dealing with conflict are needful and while I had assumed I had made such progress personally, she highlighted some needs I still have to deal with.

The added benefit of going deeper is such a nice bonus.  While my initial reading has been fairly quick, I am looking forward to going back and going deeper and using my highlighter throughout many of her pages.  Friends - if your perfectionism is keeping you from living a joy filled life, you need to take a look and consider what she has to say.

She writes not as someone who has all the answers, but someone who has been in our shoes, and still fights the battle.  She's given it to God and she's learned from her past mistakes and shares with us what she learned.

So here's the deal - I have one free copy of Breaking Up with Perfect by Amy Carroll to give away to you my sweet readers and friends!

To be eligible for the giveaway I need you to do only 3 things:

#1 - like the Encouraging Women Today Facebook page here .  If you want to see what happens more regularly, you need to check the box under the like menu to see first, or to receive notifications, otherwise you might miss out on some good encouragement!

#2 - share either the link to this blog post, or the link to the Encouraging Women Today post on Twitter or Facebook or both

#3 - comment on the Facebook page that you have completed the steps. If you also want to comment here on the blog that's wonderful too.. :)  All the comments help!

The winner will be chosen randomly from the people who tell me that they followed the steps!  Winner will be selected on Friday!