Heart Choices: The Power of Encouragement -->

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The Power of Encouragement


Encouragement can be very powerful.  Encouragement is something we all could use sometime.  Some people crave it.  Some people think they can easily do without it.

"We have different gifts according to the grace given us...if it is encouraging, let him encourage..."Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

I think I have the gift of encouragement.  There have been times in the past when I wished I had a more visible gift.  I would see others who could sing solos and bring people to tears.  But the only people that don't seem to mind my off key singing are the preschoolers I work with. Singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" with hand motions doesn't qualify as an inspiring solo.  :)

I realize that we all need a little encouragement along the way.  I love to be able to give that encouragement.  But sometimes the encourager needs a little encouragement ...especially when life has been challenging.

An unexpected word of encouragement
Out of the blue, I received a beautiful photo card from blogger Cindy of Letters From Midlife.  Cindy has the gift of encouragement.  She quietly notices when someone needs encouragement and ...she follows through and does something to encourage.

Janette of Janette's Sage is an encourager.  While navigating a time of uncertainty in her family's life, she is always there to lend a word of encouragement to others.  She always tries to make lemonade out of lemons and she wrote about it here.  But Janette has reached out to me personally in so many ways this past year and encouraged me.

Felisol of On the Far Side of the Sea is an encourager.  She is my Norwegian 'sister'.  I love to keep up with my Norwegian heritage by reading many of her posts like this one.  She always seems to sense when I need an extra dose of encouragement and she does so ... through her comments on Heart Choices.

There are so many other bloggers who have been such an encouragement to me.  There are too many to name but here are just a few.  I hope you take the time to visit them.  Those who encourage also need encouragement.

  • Sonja of bits and pieces ....  I know that the Lord brought this godly woman into my life.  She is also of Norwegian descent and has become a true mentor and sister to me.
  • Kathleen of Sassy Granny ...I met her in person when she lived in Arizona.  She's since moved to the Seattle area but I was privileged to spend quality time with her several times.  What a joy and an encourager she is.
Sassy Granny AKA Kathleen
  • Bethany of Raindrops & Rainbows ...what an encourager!  She is such an example to me and yet she's probably half my age.  When my sister Christine was going through some challenges, she wrote and asked if she might send her a card of encouragement.  My sister received many cards from Bethany and it was just what Chris needed.  That warmed my heart and ...encouraged me too.
Bethany & her hubby on their 10th anniversary
I cannot forget to mention Lisa of Sharing Life with Lisa.  I was thrilled to meet her in person last year when I visited family in Florida.  Lisa drove hours just to sit and talk with me and ...encourage me.  Best of all, she is a prayer warrior and ...follows through on that.

There are so many friends who have encouraged me including Helen, Terri, Sue, Linda, Anna May, Jill, Tara, Heidi.  Each one of these women reach out a hand of love through a card, a hug or simply listening to me  And for that ...I thank you.

I'm linking up to Bonnie of The Faith Barista as she jams about the gift of encouragement.  Btw, she has also been an encouragement to me.



FaithBarista_FreshJamBadgeG



Blessings and love,
QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
22 Comments
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22 comments:

  1. Debbie - I certainly think you have the gift of encouragement, and you have shared that with me several times in the past few months.

    Thank you for your kindness. ..Marsha

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  2. Well I am crying now...I have received encouragement from you...we both are on such a similar journey. I have received so much encouragement through blog land this past week as we hit another hole in the road of life.

    Debbie...love you, hugs and thanks for encouraging me this morning through your loving post...yes, we all need encouragement!

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  3. Oh my goodness, I hadn't expected to be so deeply moved, and honored by your post!

    We sure need each other, don't we Debbie? I think good encouragers are born in the soils of adversity because eventually we learn to pass along (pay forward) the mercies & encouragements shown to ourselves by God and others.

    You ARE an encourager too, dear one. This just proves it.

    Love you!
    Kathleen

    P.S. God-willing, I'll get to AZ again soon, but not until the temps recede to 90 again :)

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  4. Each word you shared about encouragement can be pointed right back to you my friend. Not only do you encourage, you do it gently and truthfully and with great kindness. Thank you Debbie, for being that for me many times. It's these very blogging friends like you and so many you have mentioned, that give each of us a boost when we need it, and the understanding that there are special friends in this blog world that share our hearts and our burdens, as well as our joys.

    Love you Sis!

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  5. I'm needing every bit of encouragement I can muster this a.m....I have a terrible headache and can't seem to get rid of it. I keep putting one foot in front of the other as I do my daily chores...maybe a nap would help but it is still early a.m. Thank you, thank you for all of your encouraging words. I so enjoy reading your posts. Enjoy our warmest day this month.

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  6. Sweet Debbie, you ARE an encouragement! Love your post...and you! I've missed you. Blessings to you!

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  7. Debbie, Although I have just met you I can tell from your blog and your posts to me that you are a sweet, caring, kind, and encouraging woman.....Encouraging others is definitely a gift from God and you bless others many times over with your gift which is evident from your list of comments.......

    So I send you big hugs and blessings to meet whatever need you might have and that God will bless you many times over for using your gift so generously.....

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  8. Just an observation here...

    I'm sure some of the children you work with each day face difficult circumstances at home. Maybe Dad and Mom fight, maybe the family struggles financially, maybe Dad and Mom work so hard that they have less energy to share with their little ones. I'm sure that each one of those children would much rather have a teacher that encourages them than one that can sing Itsy-Bitsy Spider with perfect pitch.

    Encouraging the next generation is a noble calling and I'll just bet you do it wonderfully, Deb.

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  9. This was wonderful, Debbie. I know we can all remember an encouraging word that someone spoke to us at just the right time! Thank you for your blog.

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  10. Beautiful Debbie!

    I love you and so blessed to hear someone suprised you with a special gift of encouragement!

    You are such a blessing in my life!

    We can't wait to meet you in person!

    So that means you have to come visit us in VA!
    Jill

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  11. Thank you for the kind words. You've been an encouragement to me as well as I read your posts and how you trust the Lord through the hard times.

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  12. Sweet, sweet post! Following some of your links to meet these dear encourager's :)

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  13. Oh, what a sweet, sweet post and who among us doesn't need encouragement and an encourager as we plug along through life. Life has so many twists and turns and can be so difficult and often just a word or a hug can make it so much better. Blessings to you Debbie!

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  14. You are so sweet for encouraging us to encourage those who encourage (yes, that was a mouthful!). You always bless me with your encouraging comments. Thank you. Pxoxo

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  15. Debbie, I deeply appreciate being mentioned among the people God uses to encourage you. He uses you the SAME way to encourage all of us online and those around you off line.

    Keep shining for Him even in the storms of life. True encouragers are not birthed they are developed through the pressing of life against us as we then press even more deeply into the presence of GOD to receive more of HIM, and then pour all that we gain and glean in His presence out to others to help them. You are doing that!

    He gives the gifts and He uses the person to offer that gift out to others.

    Much love,
    Lisa

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  16. Bless you for being a precious encourager, love you.

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  17. Oh you are so sweet! Thank you for sharing and encouraging me.

    Hugs to you! Hope you are having a great Monday!

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  18. Encouragement is such an important gift! I am grateful for all of the encouragers in my life and I pray I'm used to encourage others to forge ahead and reach the prize.

    Bless you sweet Debbie. You are such a blessing to so many!

    Love and hugs,
    Beth

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  19. Dear Debbie,
    I thank you for the kind words, and give them in return.
    You have the remarkable effect in bringing forward the best in people by always talking nicely, caring and friendly.
    I have never read an unpleasant word in your blog. (And that cannot be said about me. I am simply not that mild and sweet nature. More like a Norwegian winter storm now and then.

    I see you as a rolemodel for all people going through similar crisis like you all over America.
    You never once lost hope, but have kept searching for possibilities.
    the old saying, "when the Lord closes a door, he opens a window", sure fits on you.
    I think you are brave crawling through that kindergarten window, and after what I can understand the children have been blessed through you.

    I'm now waiting to hear what the gourmet camp will bring of exciting experiences.
    Thanks for letting me walk by your side.
    From felisol

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  20. You do have the heart of an encourager, Debbie.

    This post is another proof.

    Your visits to my blog always bring a delight to my heart and a smile to my face.

    God is using the difficult seasons of your life to shape you and to mold you. You have responded well.

    Your beautiful obedience shines through.

    Much love
    Lidj

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  21. Your post really helped me to understand the "The Power of Encouragement" It has great details and yet it is easy to understand... Its a very powerful. encourage post..

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  22. Just wanted to stop and say hello, my friend! (Although my visits are not as often as I would like, I want to again say how blessed I am to have you as a blogger friend!)

    Thank you for sharing these ladies and I look forward to visiting them (most likely on my coming day off this week :o)
    I want you to know what a blessing you are with all your words of encouragement and sweet spirit. (Especially during the times after my dad's heart surgeries and recovery...he is doing better and better...sleeping very well...and although it is a little slower to progress regarding the healing of the nerves in his left hand...he is encouraged with the progress he does see).

    Blessings & Aloha!

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