A hot soak

in a deep, steaming, sweet-smelling bathtub!

Gifts

I love to give gifts.

Usually the only experience I need to feel good is the giving of the gift.

However, what encourages me

is when that gift is joyfully accepted!

The smell & the taste...

of a fresh cup of

coffee!

What a wonderful way to start the day - the smell and sound of coffee beans being ground, then the smell as the coffee is brewing and finally the taste of that truly luscious liquid.

It is going to be a great day!

Making dreams reality.

I feel encouraged when

Dreams

become reality.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria - January 2010

Blue Sky Days

I am encouraged
when gazing up at the
contrast of green leaves
against blue skies.

Anything seems possible.

On a cold and dreary day...

a bowl of homemade soup with crusty bread on the side

is comforting encouragement
when your loved ones come through the door!

Never underestimate the power of homemade goodness.

I have hope.

Everytime we talk about our future,

I'm filled with hope.

Just like a seedling,

your future needs to be nurtured with a sense of hope.

Where can you get that hope?

From the God-of-Hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

How encouraging!

The most encouraging words found here:

Encouragement. Everyday. No matter what!

Such a gift - Thank you Father.

I feel encouraged when...

Rob smiles at me!

A Paradox.

It is a paradox - we need to be both purpose-filled and yet know that God will be guiding our life for His purpose.

(see Proberbs 19:21 Amplified : "Many plans are in a man's mind but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.")

Eventhough I'm not single and haven't had a "singles" perspective at all during my adult life, I still very much relate with Rachelle Starr Thompson's words:

"The Christian life is one of joint
purpose and dependence;
of taking full responsibility
while recognizing ourselves as totally helpless.

… a conscious chance to practice that paradox:
to make plans
and hold them loosely,
rejoicing in the freedom to make choices and direct my life
even as I rejoice in the truth that it's God who directs my paths,
God who won't let me get too comfortable in this world,
God who has surprises in store."


from a beautiful article written by Rachelle Star Thomson
called "Thoughts from the Ship of Singleness"
found here: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0002083.cfm#

Sun Glistening on Water - an encouraging sight.

I love to sit and gaze at moving water - and the pleasure is exponentially enhanced when the sun is glistening on the water's surface.

about marriage... an encouraging statement -

In an encouraging marriage

you can

share your vulnerable spots

and know they'll be gently kissed.

Encouraging Books

100 Ways To Motivate Yourself: Change Your Life Forever



by Steve Chandler



ISBN: 1564147754



100 short anecdotes/stories to make you think about your life and how you're living it - a wonderful, easy read.

Encouraging Statements

“There is a sacredness in tears.

They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.

They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.

They are messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love.”

Washington Irving (1783-1859)

Just a little experiment...

on what encourages me!