Hello Friends,

You may have noticed in my last two posts that I have felt the devil attacking me lately.  Out of frustration I did an internet search on encouragers needing encouragement.  I found a blog from January of 2014 written by Jennifer Dukes Lee titled "The World Needs More Encouragers, Or We Might Just All Go Crazy."  She writes "We need people who are living loved. We need people with hearts so sufficiently full of God’s grace that they can’t help but leak love onto the people around them." 

Upon looking her up on the internet, I found a book she has written that I have borrowed from the library.  "It's All Under Control" by Jennifer Dukes Lee is really good. The audiobook is read by the author so you really get a feel for how she wants you to "hear" what she is saying.  One of my favorite parts so far, is this:  "When reading about "The disciple whom Jesus loved," I found a beautiful surprise in the original Greek.  Literally rendered, the verses can be translated "the disciple whom Jesus kept on loving." She goes on to expand on how Jesus KEEPS loving us no matter the circumstance.  He doesn't give up on us.  She uses this to ease into the fact that it's OK not to have everything under control (because we can't control everything) and it's OK to say no sometimes.  She says "Don't let your motivation be "I have to do this, or no one else will."  Let all that you do be a response to Jesus' love for you."

Before finding her book, I actually e-mailed Ms. Lee and asked her for advice on how an encourager can get encouragement.  I felt so depleted.  Although not stated directly, her response reminded me that even Jesus went away on His own at times, away from people.  She encouraged me to "take a break" and "rest in the loving encouragement of Jesus."  That statement, coupled with what I have gotten out of her book so far, reminds me we don't always have to be busy, sometimes we can just BE.  Just relax in Jesus.  Have you ever just breathed deeply while saying His name to yourself.  Nothing else.  Just "Jesus" slowly, prayerfully.  It's so relaxing.  It's easier to block out stress factors when you're breathing His name.

Do you have an author that you like?  Feel free to share with me.  I check my e-mail regularly, so feel free to share what you have read, or how you relax.

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen