Good Morning Girls!  This week I've shared with you some of the places I draw encouragement from.  I would not be where I am today if it were not for all of the godly women the Lord has put in my life.  They are the ones I look to when I am struggling, or when I am about to step out in faith.  It is a blessing to have these great role models in my life.  However, they are not enough.  You will not truly grow as a Christian if you depend on encouragement from others.  You cannot be spoon fed forever.  Sure, when you are a new Christian, you often look to others to help you, and there are seasons when you draw on others more.  Ultimately, if you want to experience meaningful, sustainable encouragement, you have to go to the Ultimate Encourager yourself.  You need to seek out the Lord.  After I am encouraged by my friends, I don't simply leave it at that.   I always get into the Word.  Yes, I can say always.  I don't always do it right away.  For some strange reason I find from time to time that I seem to enjoy wallowing in stress for a day or two, but hey, those times are getting further and further apart.  The Word is filled with the promises God has in store for all of us who trust and believe in Him.  It is filled with examples of His faithfulness.  It is filled with examples of those who were rewarded for their faithfulness.  It is filled with wisdom, and power.  It was written for you, so that you may know how to live a blessed life that is pleasing to Him.  I cannot think of a time that I have read the Word and not been encouraged. (Well, except for when I was reading the book of Leviticus....I mean how many skin diseases do I really need to read about? Yuck!).  Spending time in the Word, and in prayer, is the place that I find the most encouragement.  You do not need to be a bible scholar to enjoy the Word.  There are so many translations to choose form.  If your Bible is full of "thus saith's," and a bunch of other "iths" and "uses" words, that you find confusing, get a new one!  If you don't know where to read, get a study Bible, or a one year Bible, it will tell you where to read on which day.  Moving on to your prayer life.  You do not have to have eloquent words.  Your prayers do not have to be recited in Haiku or Sonnet formation.  You do not have to set aside 20 minutes out of each day to kneel and pray(though those times are awesome).  All your prayers need to be are from your heart.  Simply tell the Lord what's on your mind.  Let Him know what's troubling you.  Ask Him for his wisdom and strength.  Ask him for direction.  You can do this while your washing dishes, folding clothes, or taking the 3 minute shower the kids allow you before they are whipping the shower curtain back and saying "mom, can you get me some juice?".  (please don't tell me I am the only one that happens to)  Jesus' death and resurrection gave us the ability to go boldly before the throne and speak to the Father regarding all of our needs.  God's Word was written so that we may know how to live successful lives in preparation for the life ahead.  He did these things for you, and for me.  Next time you need some encouragement, turn to the Ultimate Encourager, you will not be disappointed!

Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us.  And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.

Love you all-
Jen