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~ Encouraging Others One Hopeful Truth At A Time

Encouraging Em

Tag Archives: purpose

Heart to Heart 

16 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Prayer, Self Reflection

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choices, Excuses, hope, purpose, truth

So, the other day my hubby and I were having a heart to heart. Love those with him. He is usually very quiet, so the conversationalist in me rejoices in these moments. Since the cancer diagnosis {9 months ago} a lot has changed, mostly our perspective. How we live and why. Trauma does this. It rearranges, subtracts, and adds to life. We don’t get to choose the unexpected, but we can choose how we respond to it. 

It’s easy to become cynical. Angry. Bitter. That’s the path of least resistance. Looking for the good and purpose requires more thought, time, and effort. People usually quit before they find it. Fatigue sets in. Hopelessness drains hearts. Lies steal futures and then our choices destroy us.

We make excuses for inexcusable things just because of what has happened to us. Life. Family. Struggle. We give it all to much credit for all the wrong reasons. I am guilty of glorifying the pain and the ones responsible for it. A huge part of my life was lived being hurt by those hurting from others hurting them. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to end now! 

Cancer is not an excuse, neither is abuse, rape, poverty, violence, or any other horrible thing the enemy throws at us to become one who victimizes others and ourselves with our poor choices and thoughtless actions. 

Choice. It’s a beautiful, fragile, powerful thing, yet we don’t always handle it with care. I’ve learned that not making a choice, is a choice. When we choose to sit back and do nothing with the life we’ve been given it’s a waste of the potential we have inside of us. 

You see, our life doesn’t end at the end of the struggle if we still have breath. Purpose can be born out of the struggle if we don’t grow weary and trust that God is faithful to complete what he started in us. 

This was the heart to heart we had. What are we gonna do about where we’ve been? The good. The bad. The ugly. It all matters. Can we become people who allow God to use our struggle, pain, and past to be expamples of what hope and victory look like? I pray we can.

I want to blaze a trail of hope for my children and generations to come. I want and need my life, all of it, to count. I won’t accept it was all for nothing. When God said, all things work together for the good of them who love him and are called according to his purpose, I believed him!! And now I have to partner with him to see that purpose revealed and lived out. 

No more excuses. No more causing pain because we hurt too. Enough is enough. We have lives waiting on us to be who we are meant to be. You are someone’s example, blessing, and trailblazer.  Don’t quit now! Be the someone you needed and I promise you you’ll find your purpose. 

There’s no going back to the way things were. Honestly, I don’t want it to. Why? I’ve learned what it is to be strengthened in difficulty. To rely on God with every fiber of my being. I’ve seen miracles happen. Hearts transformed. Cancer won’t become our excuse. No, it’ll be our launching pad that propels us closer to our purpose!! 

Em ❤️  

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What Are You Waiting For? 

24 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Prayer, Self Reflection

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dream, faith, Fear, purpose

Imagine a child on the edge of a pool, ready to jump, with their father waiting with open arms to catch them. Now picture 20 minutes later and that same child is still waiting to jump. By now the father has said many times over…I’ve got you, just jump already. 

How many times has the Father told you to step out, to jump, because He’s got you? 

What would you do if you knew that you’d be ok in the end? 

I’ve been that child. Full of fear. Intimated by the water. Afraid I’ll drown. Unsure that I would be caught. We all have those fears that hinder our progress. They scream loudly and echo lies in our ears. Sadly, we believe them and have grown accustom to their voices. We no longer challenge or silence them. 

Years ago I was given a dream that I whole heartedly believed. A passion began to stir in me and I walked in the truth that I was someone with a purpose. Along the way life hit me hard. Decisions I made. Other people’s decisions. Situations that came and stayed longer than expected. All of it became more than I could bare and I caved under the weight of it all. 

I stopped believing the dream, I stopped believing I had purpose. 

Have you been there? Are you there now? Can I whisper some truths to you friend? 

That dream, passion, desire, and promise is still alive in you! How do I know? You’re still alive!! All those moments, weeks, and years you feel have been wasted have created depths in you. What the enemy meant to distract and derail you the Lord has used to your benefit. Your God has sown his truths deep in you. He’s changed you. Although you may feel numb, you have transformed through the pain and become strong, beautiful, and a force to be wreckoned with. 

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to move closer to the edge of your destiny and put your foot in. Write that story. Go to the gym. Take a class. One step at a time and soon enough you’ll be all in. It’s not easy to overcome what holds us back, but today we need to take a step closer than we were yesterday. It’s a process. It takes time, but I have faith that with God on our side and a promise in our belly we can accomplish anything! 

Detour 

24 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Prayer, Self Reflection

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Tags

detour, faith, God, purpose

So you’re moving along and out of nowhere you have to be rerouted. Ugh! So annoying! It’s never the easy or quickest way. No, you go over the mountains and through the woods only to come back to where you initially wanted to go in the first place. I recall a story where the Lord took his people through a detour because they would have fought an enemy they weren’t prepared for. The people were tired and needed a rest. Have you ever felt that God could have just did it “this” way instead? It would have been easier, right? But look at what they learned. How he protected them. Provided for them. Miracle after miracle. Could he have protected and provided for them another way? Yes, but this way was part of the transformation of them not their surroundings. In other words, character over comfort. Sure, it wasn’t easy and many died never having seen the promise land, BUT think of those who never gave up. They got there. Prepared. Ready. Different. Changed. Whatever your detour is, it’s for your good. Don’t look around you disheartened. You are being led right where you’re supposed to go. March forward. Enjoy the scenery. Take it all in and trust you’re headed in the right direction!!!  

Remember!! 11/25/15

25 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Self Reflection

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calling, dream, Jesus, power, purpose, remember, vision

Have you ever forgotten something? Got up and walked into a room and all of the sudden you can’t remember why? Ever called for someone and they came and oops can’t remember why you called them? Came back from the store without the one thing you went for? 

This happens more times often then not and I’ve noticed a pattern; I’ve gotten distracted or I’m to busy. 

Today the Spirit of the Lord has gripped me and has sent me to remind you, whether you’ve been distracted or too busy with cares, remember why you’re here! 

Distraction and busyness causes us to forget that which we are called to. We get so tired from the busyness that we have nothing left to pursue with. Distraction lures us away and we forget who we are. Stop what you’re doing and get yourself together! Remember why you are here! Your goals. Your dreams. Your passion. Your calling. Your destiny. The very thing that once consumed you is what you’re supposed to pursue. That thing that has been so easy to shelf because it’s just too hard. The thing that you have allowed your mind to neglect. Pick it back up and get moving. You’ve convinced yourself that it doesn’t matter, you don’t matter, and you’re wrong! The Lord placed “that” inside of you for a reason. It belongs to you and you possess exactly what is needed to see it through!! Go back and retrace your steps and the Lord will cause you to remember and put a fire back inside of you that will recharge your next steps!! 

In the name of Jesus I pray a willingness to get back up and go! Lord infuse us with your spirit and move us beyond ourselves into our destiny. Lord forgive us for being complacent and forgetful with what you’ve given us to do. Bring a fresh vision and anointing. In Jesus name Amen!! 

Not Finished 11/12/15 

12 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Jesus, Self Reflection

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Tags

faith, Jesus, journey, purpose

Good evening friends! 

Let me give it to you straight…you is good…you is kind…you is purposed. 

Your life was destined for a purpose with a specific process that’s only for you. 

I know your journey has been crazy, emotional, surprising, and tiring. It has you second guessing your dreams, your desires and future. You’re looking around wondering if any of this matters. It does! How could this possibly get me to where I want to go? It will! No one sees me. No one hears me. What I do doesn’t matter. 

The devil is a lie! 

The mere fact that I am writing this to you today is proof that you are seen, you are heard, and your life matters more than you could imagine! All of your behind the scenes are being recorded and will one day be a highlight reel for all to see. Don’t stop! Keep going! Keep doing what you love even though you feel no one is watching. Your destiny is being perfected in these small mundane moments of life. 

Don’t despise small, ordinary beginnings. Remember, Jesus was born in a smelly manger surrounded by live stock and dung. Believe that he is faithful to complete what he started and let him finish it. I can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeve!! 

Detour to Destiny

20 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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destiny, detour, Jesus, purpose, trust

Ever since I was a child I wanted to be a child psychologist. I wanted to sit next to a couch and listen to their troubles. I wanted to contribute to their healing. As time went on I started school and eventually had children and never finished. The desire to become a psychologist diminished and I no longer wanted to do it. Now what?! I was without passion or purpose. I loved being a mom and a wife but I knew there was more for me to do. 

One day I was asked to join a bible study at my church. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join because it was for the older women. I felt like I didn’t belong but I went out of obligation to myself to be involved. Best decision ever!!! It was there that I was given the opportunity to lead prayer and teach a few lessons. It was there that I discovered my passion, my purpose…encourager and teacher. I found my mentor and dearest advocate. She saw me. She loved me. She pushed me. These older women were the perfect environment. It was their wisdom that encouraged me. I wanted to be like them. Mature and full of wisdom. They were unafraid and honest with me. It’s been a learning curve even though it was natural for me there was much to be done to ready me for my future. 

Since then the Lord has had me on a journey to perfect that which he started in me. I wanted to be a psychologist so that I could help heal those hurting including me. I figured helping them would help me. I still want to help people heal but now I’m taking them to the Healer…Jesus. The only way I could ever do that was to experience healing in myself first. You can’t lead people to a place where you’ve never been. Using my life, my story, and my pain has become my favorite thing to do. Sometimes we take a detour in life and it leads right where we were supposed to be all along. It was destined. Designed. Purposed! I pray the road you’re on leads you exactly where you need to be even if it’s the road you didn’t intend to take. I encourage you to stay the course and trust there is a bigger plan for your good at the end. Jesus promises to never lead you where he won’t go. Grab his hand and go…your destiny is waiting!! 

Its Time 

14 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith, Hope, Self Reflection

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courageous, healing, Jesus, journey, purpose, strong, thirties

I don’t believe in luck. I don’t believe whatever will be will be. There are no coincidences. God is very purposeful with every detail of our lives. My thirties was a decade of radical change and transformation. I never imagined the series of events that would have led to where I am today. Had I known I would have stepped in and tried to change them. I am comforted in the fact that ALL things work for my good when Jesus is for me. It has taken almost 10 years to heal and recoup from hurts, brokenness, loss, lies, and separations that I never saw coming. I have been given the privilege of being hidden away for a purpose I have yet to see come to pass. My journey has not been easy but I’m so glad I walked it. I now know why God hides things from us. If we knew, we would step in and try to take over, change the script, rearrange a few things, and hinder his intended purpose{don’t lie you would too}. I was a woman living in the muck and mire of my past. I was afraid of a lot of thing but not anymore!! 

Well, today is the last day of my thirties and tomorrow begins a new chapter in the life of Emilie. I truly believe in new beginnings and am looking forward to what this next season will look like. I am grateful that I said yes to Jesus and allowed him to do what needed to be done…healing. There is a time and a purpose for everything. My sincerest prayer is that we all come to the realization that Jesus is for us. His intention is for our good. Don’t resist the healing and correcting hand of God. He is gentle and kind {even if you feel like your dying}. He is full of grace and mercy {even when you feel like you’re failing and far from him}. You are worth the time it takes to become all that he has planned for you! I pray you know the depths of Gods love for you and trust that where he guides is the safest place for you {even though you’re terrified}. Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid for the Lord is with you!! 💞 

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