Good Morning Girls!    In the past my "love language" has always been gifts.  If you wanted me to know that you love me, and you take interest in my life, than you could easily do so by giving me a gift.  It didn't have to be anything fancy, but it did need to be thoughtful.  I needed to know that you thought about ME.  My personality, my taste, my favorite things.  In return, if I loved you, you would know because I would get you the perfect gift.  I would labor over getting it just right.  I would wrap it perfect.  I would be more excited than you to have you open it.  Over the last year, I've noticed a change.  I am no longer encouraged and excited by gifts.  I know longer feel like the only way others know how I feel about them is to buy them something.  I now find myself motivated and encouraged by words.  Words of encouragement.  Words of affirmation.  And of course, the Word of God.  Now don't get my wrong, I am not anti-gifts. If you feel led to buy me a gift, mama still loves jeans, shoes, and anything from Victorias Secret!  It's just that I find words settle into my heart more.  I have been blogging for 10 months now, and as I look back, my blogs have mostly been used in a way to motivate and encourage others.  I am not a bible scholar.  I don't know the Hebrew and Greek meanings of this and that.  What I do know is this: God loves us faithfully, passionately, and forever.  If we continue to fight the good fight, we will be rewarded with an eternity with Him.  If we continue to follow His Word, we are also privileged enough to live a life with heavenly blessings poured down to us on earth.  That really sums it up.  To me, the Word is one complete success instruction manual.  If you spend your time there instead of the latest New York Times bestseller self help books, you will succeed.  If you do not quit, you will win.  Last week we talked about waiting for the Lords reward.  This is the ultimate reward.  However, let us not minimize the importance of encouraging and rewarding others.  It is also our job to keep each other going.  Last week, I received a few comments on my blogs that made me smile, laugh, and even cry.  They encouraged me.  They made me want to keep writing, even though my schedule is overflowing.  Really, it reminded me of the importance of encouraging others.  Why is it so important to encourage and motivate others?  When we encourage someone, it is not so they can feel good about themselves.  No.  We encourage others so they continue to be moved in the direction God has put them.  It is so they can have enough steam for the hill up ahead.  It is so they do not quit and lose out on their ultimate reward.  We encourage others so they can be a blessing to others.  It's not about making them feel good for a moment (that is just a bonus).  It is about helping them carry out the work the Lord has given them.  Next time you feel like you should say something encouraging to someone else, but feel silly, do it!  Remember, you are in fact helping that person carry out the Lords work.  If you follow through and encourage them, you will be blessed as well!

Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works

Love you all-
Jen