Good Morning Girls!  Yesterday I said that encouragement is not only an immediate blessing to the recipient, but more importantly, it helps us continue in the work the Lord has set before us.  You may find that you have one or two people whom you  consistently encourage.  You may also have one or two people whom you turn to for encouragement.  In my life I generally like to encourage anyone I can, whether I know them or not.  There are also a couple people who I feel I have tucked under my wing.  They are in need of encouragement on a weekly, if not daily basis, and I am blessed to be the one to give it.  Although my heart lights up when I receive any encouragement, I also have one or two people that I look to for encouragement when I am faced with a big roadblock.  I believe the Lord has put these people in our lives for this very reason.  Let me give you a specific example.  A few years ago I met an amazing woman who would end up being my mentor and friend.  When we first connected, we did not know the details of our relationship, we both simply knew that the Lord had brought us together.  I was drawn to her every word. I put into practice everything she taught me.  I took every opportunity there was to get to know her more.  Well, Praise the Lord! He made a place in her heart for me! This woman is the kind of woman who everyone wants to be with.  Everyone loves her, and everyone would love to have one on one time with her.  Her plate is full, and she definitely doesn't need one more needy person in her life, but as I said, the Lord made room in her life for me (and at this very thought I am in tears).  Why was I put in a position that many others would love to be in?  I believe it is because God's plan for my life is partly dependent on the instruction and encouragement I receive form this woman.  Now don't misunderstand me, God's plan cannot be broken by man.  What I am saying is that in order for me to carry out the plan He has for me, He knew I was going to need a boatload of encouragement.  He also had the perfect woman for the task.  Three years ago, I told her that I was going to be one of her leaders.  She said she knew that.  We both smiled, and the ride of my life began.  I tried so hard to do the right things.  I was still what I would say a baby Christian.  I had a lot of things to correct.  I had a lot of baggage to dump.  I had a lot more tears to shed.  I would be moving forward as best I knew how and Wham! the devil (or sometimes myself) would strike a blow that knocked me out.  I would call my mentor crying and ask her when I was ever going to get it right.  She always responded with an encouraging word.  She never said "oh Jen, you know better than that".  No, she always helped pick me up and brush me off.  After the 3rd or 4th time (believe me there have been about one hundred) I noticed something.  She always encouraged me with her personal experience AND the Word of God.  She never once helped me without pointing me back to the Word.  She never threw a verse my way when I was still raw with emotion like some people do.  She would use scriptures to encourage me and show me that I was the girl God wanted, even if I wasn't perfect, and didn't get it right all the time.  I wanted to be like that.  I wanted to know the Word enough to encourage others.  Her example made me hungry for the Word.  I dove into the Word like never before, and have not looked back.  I can honestly say that I do not know where I would be without this person(I have some scary guesses though).  What is her reward in all the time she has put into me?  She knows that she is encouraging and strengthening me for the role God has for me.  She knows there is a greater plan than either of us can imagine(and trust me, we have vivid imaginations).  She is blessed as she sees me grow into the woman God intended, and knowing full well that she played a key role in that.  If you find the Lord has put someone in your life that you find you need to encourage over and over again, try not to get frustrated.  You may have been blessed with the role of preparing them for His plan on their life.  Ask Him for patience, and He will help you see the best way to mentor them!  You will be blessed as you watch the plan of God unfold in there life!

Deuteronomy 3:28  Instead, commission Jen and encourage and strengthen her, for she will lead the people across the Jordan (it is not sacrilegious to personalize the Word of God and make it your own)

Love you all-
Jen