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Tag: Encouragement

April 10, 2023

April 10, 2023

This picture is from an Easter service that I attended with my son. It was special, not only because it was Easter, but because it was in the church that I attended growing up. I enjoy going to services there when we are in Maryland visiting my parents and family. 

 

I was touched by this trio of young men playing their instruments, singing, and praising the Lord. One reason it was so inspiring is that my son plays the trumpet, and I was glad for him to see these talented young men providing such a wonderful example to him. He whispered to me during one of the songs that the trumpet player was “really good”! 

 

It’s difficult to watch my son struggling with his faith and even turning away from the Lord at times. There is nothing I want more for him than to know how much God loves him and how wonderful and freeing it is to accept that love and follow Him. 

 

As I watched these boys play their instruments and listened to their music, I felt hope and peace. The words rang true. My help comes from Him. He gives me peace in the storm.

 

Is the Lord calling you to encourage a person, or to place a particular situation, into His hands? He wants you to be at peace, especially in the storms. Can you trust Him?

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

If you have read any of my previous “Thought of The Week” posts, then you know that I love to share truth and encouragement from God’s Word. I see the Bible as one of my primary reference tools in working one on one with clients, coaching them through problems and helping them reach their goals. Although helping women who have experienced trauma is something of a specialty for me, a universal goal for every client is growth in the client’s relationship with Christ. This includes partnering between myself, the client and the Holy Spirit. 

 

In his popular devotional, “My Utmost For His Highest”, Oswald Chambers writes: “My goal is God himself, not joy nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.”

 

One of the apostle Paul’s several confirmations of this goal, and secret to success, is seen in his prayer for the Ephesians, Chapter 1, verses 17-23. Verse 17 reads: “…that the God of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him…”. It is Jesus Christ who invites us into an intimate relationship with Him that is life-changing, and it is our personal relationship with God that enables us to be successful.

 

Are you interested in knowing God more intimately?

 

If you would like to talk about your goals, and grow in your relationship with God, send me a message or schedule a time to talk about a coaching relationship and whether I would be a good fit for you. I would love to help you on your journey!

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

I have more than one chapter! 

 

It took a very long time for me to understand that it’s only God’s assessment of worth and value that really matters. It takes more time and effort for many of us to recognize, and then internalize, this truth than it does for others.  

 

Only the Lord can set us free from the common error of believing that what others think about us is a valid basis for assessing our true worth and value. It is so freeing to recognize and rely on the love of the Lord for our sense of self-worth rather than relationships with others. Relationships matter, but self worth is never truly defined by others’ thoughts about us. 

 

My relationship with God stands firm and secure no matter what storms may swirl around me. The chapters that I didn’t want to read out loud are no longer of concern. All that matters is what God thinks of me. My identity is found in Him! He will guide me, strengthen me and take care of my needs. 

 

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

 

“. . .that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.“ (Ephesians 3:17-19)

 

Are you looking to your relationships to define you or are you looking to the Lord?

February 27, 2023

February 27, 2023

Are you interested in acquiring an understanding that brings with it a special gift of wisdom?

 

Not everyone is aware of the opportunity to share in God’s wisdom. To many, it’s simpler and less effort to stay in the dark!

 

How wonderful it would be to have as much as we could possibly have of God’s great wisdom!

 

The good news is that everyone can have access to His wisdom. Your education, intellect, talents, opportunities, skills, wealth, etc. are not required.

 

As Charles Stanley puts it “every person can reverence God, can receive Jesus Christ as Savior, and can submit his or her life to God on a daily basis. Every person can become wise.”

 

Interested? 

January 30, 2023

January 30, 2023

A coaching relationship provides a helpful and healthy platform for sharing and finding relief from burdens. It’s a safe place, where your coach listens and engages with you to help you determine how to lighten your load and move forward without those burdens. 

 

Everyone has burdens, but not everyone is motivated to let go of them and improve their situation and their life. A genuine desire to unload heavy burdens is a key. A coach can’t provide the desire and determination, but can be an important sounding board to help lift and eliminate unnecessary burdens. 

 

Good coaches begin their coaching businesses by finding and meeting with their own coach. This gives coaches the positive experience of sharing their burdens and finding solutions that work for them. Everyone benefits! 

 

Why keep wrestling with unneeded burdens? What are you waiting for?

November 21, 2022

November 21, 2022

As Thanksgiving nears, my focus on the things that I have to be thankful for increases. I look forward to a road trip with my son to spend time with my parents in their retirement community. We are thankful for the homelike atmosphere and the opportunity to spend time with them as well as time with sisters and other family members in the area.

 

One day, out of the blue, my son quipped that we are not a “real family”. “We’re just two people who live together”. As a single Mom, his comment hit home. I told him that I understood how he felt because sometimes I sense a longing for a classic family – unified in accord with God’s will for His children. Perhaps your situation leads to a longing for your idea of life as part of an ideal family. 

 

Reminding myself and my son of all that we have to be thankful for helps to keep our minds from wandering into the depths of sadness over missing life in our idea of the ideal family. We realize that so many are in less than ideal situations and we think of how we can be a blessing to others. We find that giving encouragement and showing our Father’s love to others is fulfilling and uplifting. I’m always thankful for God’s provision in meeting our needs and allowing me to make my son my priority.

 

God reminds us that we should be thankful for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18)! It’s a sure way of shining light in the darkness and causing the evil one to flee.

 

As believers, we are especially thankful for being rooted and grounded in His love and that His love is transformational. Knowing how much He loves us helps us to grow into the person he intends for us to become. He has taken me by my right hand, pulled me up out of my sin and shame, and lifted me up to sit with Him for all eternity. The love that He displayed in rescuing, mending, and restoring me moves me to want to share my good fortune with others!

 

If you need encouragement and more to be thankful for, I am available to talk with you.

 

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season? 

September 5, 2022

September 5, 2022

Are you experiencing the presence of God as you deal with the problems and decisions that you face day after day?

 

Jesus promised His disciples that He would be with them always. (Matthew 28:20)

 

He wants you to recognize and depend on His presence and protection also. It is simply a matter of choosing to turn towards Him, offering our problems to Him and praying for Him to protect our minds.

 

When we are in His Presence, problems tend to disappear. The ones that remain take a backseat to the all-encompassing light that He brings and the comfort of knowing Him.

 

If we are focused on His Presence with us, we can’t help but to rejoice!

 

Are you accepting the offer of His Presence?

August 29, 2022

August 29, 2022

Do you spring joyfully out of bed in the morning? Even on Mondays?

 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up each morning excited about your day and about what you could accomplish? 

 

Would you like to have the confidence that your work is what you were called to do and that it’s exactly what you want to be doing?

 

Do you think that your primary work is in alignment with your Creator’s plans and purposes?  Wouldn’t that be the ideal way to start your day? 

 

Any thoughts as to how to make such a start to your day a reality?

(Hint: a life coach can help!)

July 25, 2022

July 25, 2022

I love sea glass! 

It reflects light so beautifully.

It is a challenge, but ultimately rewarding, when you find those colorful pieces among the rocks and pebbles.

Their once jagged edges have been smoothed to perfection. 

However, some of those pieces are better thrown back into the ocean for more polishing.

This is similar to the work the Lord does in shaping His children into His image as we focus our faith on Him.

He takes our brokenness and makes it beautiful as He smooths out our rough edges.

We will be perfect one day when we are with Him, but for now, we can become beautifully broken, and, most importantly, able to reflect His light and beauty to the world.  

Are you letting the Lord polish your rough edges?

July 18, 2022

July 18, 2022

If we truly want the Lord in our life, we need to actively pursue Him.

 

Seeking the Lord has the effect of putting God first in our lives. In the words of Charles Stanley, having a relationship with God should be “our priority and our foremost desire”.  We’re on the right track to putting God first when “we choose to obey God, follow God, and have a daily and intimate relationship with God”.  We need to talk with Him, listen to Him and remain “eager to consult with Him at all times.”

    

Do you feel like there is something missing in your life? Are you experiencing strife in your relationships? Do you long for peace and joy? Maybe you want to find meaning in the difficult circumstances and experiences of your life. Perhaps you are seeking comfort, help, healing and restoration or you may be desiring growth, wisdom and abundant life.

 

If so, ask yourself if you are seeking Him with your whole heart. If you do, He has promised that you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). 

 

If you’re interested in some guidance in an active pursuit of God, I am available to talk with you about getting a start on this richly rewarding journey! 

 

“Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:10)