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Encouraging Em

~ Encouraging Others One Hopeful Truth At A Time

Encouraging Em

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Glory to Glory

14 Saturday Dec 2013

Posted by encouragingem in Faith

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

finishing strong, pride, Victory

In perfect formation they came around the corner; perfectly suited up shoulder to shoulder and not a step out of pace. I’ve never seen such a beautiful display of pride and humility. I looked and scanned the group of Marines to find his face and as I looked at each one of them they all held such a glory that told a story of absolute victory. The miles they have run, the hills they had to climb, the obstacles they had to get through, the mental and physical exhaustion endured, the pain, the loneliness, all of it was over and now they stand in this place, in front of all who matter the most to them, to receive an honor given to the few, the proud, the Marines. I found his face among the hundreds of young men and I couldn’t have imagined the eyes of my baby shining any brighter. He is a Marine; He did it; He finished!! I imagined the little boy with big dreams who grew to be a young man whose dream was a reality.  As I sat there I remembered many moments just like this before in my life oh sure none of them are of me in uniform but I have been a victor clothed in pride and joy. I have tasted the faithfulness of God who carried me through some of my darkest battles.  I believe we all have at one point in time. Life is full of training grounds and battles that we must pass through and conquer. This life we live is not easy and can be down right cruel but those of us who have Jesus have a hope that sustains us like a letter from a loved one while away from home. We have this expectation of good out of every situation no matter how daunting it may be at the present moment. We can see through the pain and visualize the promise of victory. We are reassured through the word of God that if we don’t lose heart we will receive our reward. A reward that far surpasses the long journey behind us and more enjoyable than we could ever imagine.  We all have a graduation ahead of us if we just stay the course. Just like my son isn’t done with his training neither are you and me. There will always be something more to be learned, to be discovered. Each time we finish we go from one glory to another, from victory to victory. You see this life was never meant to be our comfort zone it was only meant to be a training ground because in going from glory to glory it means we go from one training ground to the other. If you are still alive then it is not over and neither is your purpose!! You may be in a training season that seems pointless or your own war and you’re battle weary and want to give up. Let me tell you what I told my son over and over while he was in boot camp…You got this!! You were created for victory so finish strong!!! God hasn’t brought you here to let go of you now!!! Don’t’ miss your moment to be an example of the sustaining hand of God, don’t let defeat rob you of the pride of victory!! Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God is with you!! The feeling of relief that flooded my heart when I got to touch him and tell him just how proud I was of him. Tears streaming down my face as my heart was bursting with pride and joy. I will never forget this moment of absolute perfection and don’t you miss yours…you’re almost there!!

Blessings,

Em

Aside

Doubtful Me

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by encouragingem in Faith

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Disbelief, faithful, trusting

Imagine seeing miracle after miracle; answered prayer one after the other and still doubt in your heart that God is trustworthy. The children of Israel seen the parting of the red sea, the cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to lead them. They witnessed every day the falling of manna to feed them and yet they were filled with disbelief and distrust. They panicked every time there was a struggle. They went into self-preservation mode and wanted to go back to the slavery they were just delivered out of. They complained because their accommodations were less than satisfactory. They wanted more and wanted it now. They were tired and a long ways from home.  I used to think how crazy they were to be so blind, how could they ever complain?  It’s easy to see all that God did for them and wonder how on earth they could doubt God after He performed so many victories for them.  In the past 2 years and especially in the past 2 days I have been no better than them.  Panicking, doubting, complaining, self-preservation mode, distrust and all that in one day!! How could I? It sounds so horrible and yet it is the truth of all humanity who lives and breathes. We are in an ever-growing state of learning to depend on the Lord for every thing that concerns us and knowing His truth regarding our lives helps to build that trust between Him and us. The children of Israel wandered for 40 years and some never learned that the same One who provided the cloud by day and the fire by night would be the same One who delivered them into the place they most longed for…their promise land. We all have a place we are longing to get to, a prayer we desperately need an answer too, a healing, a restored relationship, a financial miracle and so many more promises that we hold onto.  The wonderful thing is that Jesus knows all and sees all, He understands our humanity and sees our hearts. He loves us and is so patient while we learn and grow. How beautiful is that?! I have seen miracles, I am a miracle, I have known the daily provision of the Lord, I have wandered in a wilderness and have seen Him guide me and my family step by step, I have seen Him reveal Himself to me time and time again. God has been so good to me and yet I fail at times to see clearly all that He is. I have received a grace so amazing that it covers all my shortcomings and sees through to my pain. He sees me and is rooting me on even when I fall short. Because of this great love and grace I will see my promise land, I will learn, I will get there! With every victory I will trust more, with every passing day I will see His faithfulness to me! I will get to my expected end not because of how perfect I am but because of Who He is!!

Blessings,

Em

Aside

Choices

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by encouragingem in Daily Truth, Encouraging, Faith

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

choices, choices regrets, parenting

I read something the other day that really got me thinking. Someone was thanking their parents for all the things they did for her when she was little. She acknowledged that because of them realizing her gifts as a child it made her into the woman she is today. It really hit me hard for all sorts of reasons. It made me think back to my childhood and my parents and the role they played in who I am today. I thought of all the things they didn’t do and didn’t say, all the things they did wrong and how it could have been so different. Thinking of all the moments they had a chance to change me for the better and it broke my heart. I don’t even think they realized what they were doing at the time but they were shaping me for better and for worse.  I so wanted to have a pity party and complain but something deeper in me wouldn’t allow myself to go there. I am trying to see the good because there were brief moments where I saw a glimpse of who I could be in their eyes, things they said that still echo in my mind. As time goes on I realize we all have choices and those choices make a difference whether we see the results now or years from now. My parents may not have been all I wanted or made all the right choices but I can learn from them. I want to be better, a better mom, teacher and cheerleader for my sons.

As a mother of four beautiful and amazing boys I choose to see all the things that make them so unique, what makes them tick and what their strengths are.  I am far from perfect but I am choosing to go in another direction. I want to go in the direction that allows me to point my children in the way they should go. It took me so long to figure out who I am and to be honest I’m still on that journey. I pray with the wisdom of God I can be the parent that acknowledges who they are and helps them along their way. My biggest prayer as a mom is to have my children know how special they are, to realize they have been given a purpose, gifts, talents and abilities. I want to celebrate them in all they do and build a confidence in them that will be a solid foundation to fall back on if ever they forget who they are. I can not change yesterday but today I can and so I will.

Blessings,

Em

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