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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Coffee For Your Heart – Encouragement

The Power of Encouragement

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I’m sure that at some point in our lives we can all say that we could relate to feeling “down in the dumps.”  If things haven’t been going our way, as much as we try, we may not always be able to hold our heads up and keep a smile on our faces.  We can try really hard, but some times, let’s face it, it’s just hard to breathe let alone force all of the muscles in our faces to do what inside we can’t … smile.

Have you ever really thought about the many “masks” that we wear?   We surely can’t allow the world to see how we truly feel, so we hide behind the “masks” and pretend that all is well when inside we’re hurting.  Deep within our core, there’s a ache.  It … just … hurts!

It’s times like this … more than ever … that we need someone to come alongside of us with encouragement for our hearts.  They may not be able to “do” anything about the situation that is troubling us or the sadness that we’re feeling in our hearts.  What they can do is love us, encourage us, support us and just be “there.”

There is such power in encouragement!   When your heart is hurting, it is quite comforting to feel the loving arms of your friend wrapped securely around you letting you know that they’re there … and they are not letting you go!   It helps to have a reassuring hand to hold or even just a voice on the other end of the phone.

When you feel low and as if you can’t figure your own “stuff” out, why not give another the gift of your encouragement?  It has been proven that if you are sad, depressed, or hurting that it helps if you reach out to others.  It will help you feel better to encourage someone else and love on them a little while.  Think of how you’ve felt when others have reached out to you.  It’s a beautiful thing to feel the love that another has for you.

Aside from the power of encouragement from a friend, there is great encouragement to be found within the pages of one book in particular.  The Bible is full of God’s promises and His love for us.   He also speaks about friends in His word:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

John 15:12-15

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times …

One of my dear friends has been having a hard time lately, and they were feeling especially down today.  It hurts when your friends hurt.  You want to reach out and help in some way.  You offer.  You tell them to let you know if there is anything … anything at all … that you can do for them.  Then you pray for them and whisper words of encouragement into the universe to them and for them … and they can feel it … they can truly feel the power of encouragement at times like these.

With that said, I’d like to introduce you to the Encouragement Team of Light Love Hope.   By clicking here, you will be taken to a new page which will show the beautiful smiling faces of some very important people in my life.   These precious souls are here, just as I am, to come alongside you and love you, encourage you, and support you.   There are many, many more precious people in my life that are not on the page as writers for this site, yet they continue to speak to my heart on a daily basis.  One particular lady that I love and hold so dear to my heart resides many, many states away (Oklahoma), and yet, she’s like my sister.  She’s not on this site … yet … as part of my Encouragement Team, but she speaks to my heart on a daily basis.  I love her … and I hope she knows without a shadow of a doubt what her friendship means to me.

There IS power in encouragement … such power … such beautiful, overwhelming, life changing power.  Share your gift of encouragement with someone today.   They will be blessed completely … and so will you in the process!

As You Reach Your Destination

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My family and I set out recently on a trip to look at a horse that was for sale. It was in another town that we hadn’t been to before, and so we quickly punched the address into our GPS so we could get on our way. The only problem is that my husband hates that thing with a passion. He will fuss and cuss at “her” (the voice of the GPS) the entire way to our destination. It is a constant struggle any time we go on a trip. It would easily zap the fun completely out of the trip if I allowed it to do so. However, I try to encourage my husband and ask him kindly not to say bad things! To me, it is an adventure! I like going where I’ve never gone before. I like looking at all the new things along the way. Why he can’t just enjoy the ride is beyond me, but I am reminded that we are two completely different individuals. He definitely likes to be in control, but the funny thing to me is that if he doesn’t know where he’s going, he is anything but “in control.”

As I have pondered this since our last trip, I couldn’t help but think of how God points us in the direction that He wants us to go. How many times do we ask for His help and His guidance? And how many times do we fight it the entire way when He lays the path before us that He wants us to take?

Are you like my husband? Do you fight every twist and turn? Do you mumble, grumble, fuss, and complain about every thing that God wants you to do? Remember now, you did seek Him first before you set out on your journey. You asked Him for direction, and He has given it to you.

It is definitely something to think about, now isn’t it?

For me, I enter the address into the GPS and trust that it will take me to my destination. No matter how many times it takes me places that I don’t understand, it does eventually get me there safe and sound. Until I reach my destination, though, I try to relax and enjoy the scenery along the way. Likewise, I trust God and cling to the following verse:

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,“ says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

I want to encourage you on your path. Your journey will look different than that of my own. God has plans for each of us. They may look like we’re setting out side by side initially, but God may send your life in a different direction than He sends mine. That is fine, as long as it is HIS plan.

I encourage you to pray and ask God what direction He wants you to take in your life. Where does He want you to go? What does He want you to do?

After you’ve prayed and have heard God speak, trust Him to get you safely to your destination. Surrender to Him and allow Him to guide you along your journey, your path, your walk of life. He will not lead you astray.

There may be times you’re walking in the deepest valley, and there may be other times that you’re on the highest mountain. Trust that He knows best. Have faith in His abilities to deliver you to your destination in life exactly when you’re supposed to arrive.

Trust Him as you reach your destination!

Reach Your Destination

Join Holley Gerth and other writers like myself every Wednesday as we link up to spread encouragement all over the internet!

Small Things – Big Difference

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Every day we have the power to make a difference in someone else’s life. When your feet hit the floor in the mornings, set out as determined as ever to touch someone’s heart. Even ordinary things can touch someone right when they need it. The smallest of things can make a big difference, too.

A lot of times people struggle to find the “perfect gift” when they want to show someone that they care, but this goes beyond gifts. We’re not talking about anything that you can buy. Your small act of kindness does not even have to cost a thing. If, however, you’d like to purchase something, even then you don’t have to go all out unless you desire to do so. Even the smallest of gifts to my girls have thrilled their hearts completely just because I thought of them and wanted to give them a surprise.More

Who Inspires You?

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Have you ever really searched your heart and narrowed down all those who truly inspire you?   That is a tough one because all throughout our lives we have and will encounter those that challenge us and inspire us in different ways.  It’s hard to pick just one person or group of persons.

While thinking on this topic during this past week, I have to say that all those that have been affected by cancer inspire me.  From the ones fighting the brave fight right now, to the ones that have conquered it and are considered “survivors,” to the ones that lost their lives while fighting with all of their might.  There’s also the family and friends that have stood by their side every step of the way loving, caring for, encouraging, supporting, and cheering them on.  They all inspire me more than mere words could ever say.More

Joy!

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When times are tough and things of this world threaten to shatter our peace and steal our joy, quickly turn your thoughts to pleasant things that speak life into your heart and soul. What restores your peace and joy, friends? Allow me to share my thoughts here.

For me, when the world comes crashing in, all I have to do is shift my focus to my darling daughters. I escape the grownup woes for a little while by playing like a child again in their world. Oh the fun we have dancing around, laughing freely, throwing our heads back as we laugh so hard that our sides hurt. Just tonight we had such a moment. We were watching Titanic, of all things. My entire family was glued to the television. During a dancing scene, my oldest daughter disappeared into her room and returned shortly thereafter shuffling her feet, dancing around, kicking up her heels, all the while twirling a blanket over her head. We burst into uncontrollable laughter. None of us were expecting that, but it was the best thing she could have done to entertain us at that moment. These are the times that we’ll remember forever!More

No Matter What Happens, You’re Going To Be Okay

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Come here, sweet girl. You’ve had a very hard week, I know. Things have come at you from all directions it seems. People have even tried to come at you, too, in an attacking manner for something that was beyond your control. Yet, you’ve been blamed and are now being the outcast with this group. I know you’re hurting. I see it in your eyes. I hear it in your voice. I know it is troubling you although you try to shrug it off and act like it’s no big deal. It is. I hear you. I validate your feelings surrounding this. I would also like you to remember this. No matter what happens in this life, you’re going to be okay. How do I know this? Because I know GOD, and I know that He is in control. I know that God is The Great Comforter, and He has His loving arms wrapped securely around you carrying you through this latest trial and tribulation period.More

You Are Not Alone

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How many would willingly admit that at one time or another in your life you have felt all alone? I will be the first to raise my hand! There have been circumstances and situations in my life that left me feeling as if I was all alone during some really hard times. In these times, I found great comfort in turning to God and clinging to the reassurance provided in His Word. No matter how I might have felt, the truth of the matter is that I was never alone because God was with me! I can rest confidently in the knowledge that even still God is with me. More