I am sitting in the dim light of my basement, a hole in the can above my head where the light bulb should be. I do not type away in full light this morning, but in the glow of this screen and the small lamp, and I know the voice like a hand at the small of my back that says, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
So I do. I keep plunking at the keys.
Encouragement. It is a huge part of why I continue writing. To not only say, “You can DO it!” (a la Bela Karolyi, coaching Kerri Strug in the 1992 Olympics), but to say, “Sometimes, honey, you cannot, and that is OK. You are OK, and you are worth loving anyway.”
I am here to remind you of some truth. That you are loveable because you were sketched and formed and made in love. One unique fiber uniquely combined with another, unlike any other’s. And you are not accident, you are not error, you are not inadequate for this living because you are seen and known and enough even as you are not.
Encouragement says I see you, you matter. Keep running, little bunny.
When my eight-year-old is worn out by her homework and wants to throw her pencil or scratch lines across pages, encouragement is “Come sit with me, honey. Sometimes it helps to be close.”
Encouragement says, this is hard, but you can do hard things. Encouragement speaks into the belly of fear and says, No, you are not alone. You have to do this, sure, but I am for you. I am folding clothes here on my bed, and you are pushing the pencil across the page in the chair, but I am with you, and I am holding hope for you.
And you, too. You are with me, as I sit in part darkness, and I’m with you. And we’re remembering together the light that is real and true. We’re holding hope for each other, whether we see it or not.
Joining with the Five Minute Friday community at Lisa-Jo Baker’s and today’s prompt ENCOURAGEMENT.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
And since that very first spark of an instant when strands of you were first lovingly woven, you were designed to be an encourager Ashley. Thank you for this…how beautifully you’ve given encouragement this morning from your dimly-lit corner so Bright. xoxo
Oh, thank you for encouraging me right back, Mama. Your comment made me starry eyed. I love you.
“Sometimes, honey, you cannot, and that is OK. ”
Yes. This. (smile)
Seems that’s so often what I need the most encouragement to remember. Maybe you relate? :-)
Yes, you gifted to this world (and little old me-lol ;)) to bright hope and encouragement to dark places.
Love you Sis!
Thank you, sweetheart. So grateful for that shared part of our hearts, for the ways we encourage one other. I love you, V!
“Encouragement says, this is hard, but you can do hard things.”
So Much Yes, my friend!
Is it Glennon at Momastery who says that a lot? Well, it’s true. So true. Looking forward to visiting your place again soon.
thanks for letting jesus encourage me this morning…through your fingers pecking at the keys….. to encourage me to keep hopping. the lover of my soul is cheering me on. HE sees my effort. HE is my reward. tears are streaming down my face. thank you buddy.
Oh, buddy. This photo of our girls and remembering “You can DO it!” this morning made me think so much of you. I am praying for you, that you would know how deeply you are loved today. That you would keep listening for the voice cheering you on. I cherish you.
“We’re holding hope for each other.” It makes the things we hold so much easier to bear when someone holds it with us.
It sure does, Kimberly. True encouragement holds hope for me when I can’t hold it for myself. Bless you today.
You spoke directly to my heart today. Thank you! This little bunny is going to keep right on running….
http://smidgensbitsandsnippets.blogspot.com/
I’m so happy to hear that, Paula. Yay, little bunny!
Absolutely lovely! And – yes – encouraging. Thank you, friend.
Thank you, Christie. Grateful for you.
When I saw this prompt today for FMF, I immediately thought of you, and what we were just talking about… I love it when things line up like that, eh? :-) You have encouragement knit into your DNA, Ashley, and I love and admire how you are continually seeking ways to express that, even artistically. And I love these words – “Encouragement says, this is hard, but you can do hard things.” Tucking this encouragement away for another day when it feels too hard to keep writing. Thankful for you, friend.
It was such a timely prompt, wasn’t it? And it made me so happy to see how you and I both drew inspiration in our writing from our conversation with one another that day. I think a lot about that simple truth — we can do hard things. (I believe Glennon Merton said that.) Those words speak right to me and my writing life, too. I love you, Amber. Grateful for you!
Dearest Ashley
Oh, and even when we make the biggest mistakes of our lives and we want to hide in sack cloth and ashes, we still need to know that nothing we do or don’t do will ever change God’s love for us.
Luv to you XX
Mia
Amen, friend!
Yes Ashley! “We’re holding hope for each other, whether we see it or not.” I know this is true. And I am so thankful for you.
Hugs,
Kelly
Grateful for you, too, Kelly. Can’t wait to see you again soon. Holding hope for you…
“Sometimes, honey, you cannot, and that is OK. You are OK, and you are worth loving anyway.<— This spoke to me so much. Yes. Some days I just can't. So blessed by your words today. They were meant for me.
Ditto. Such a comfort!
Sometimes this can be the hardest kind of truth for me to receive and accept. Grateful for your beautiful self here, Alia. I love you.
Accepting the “cannot” and still knowing you are loved – that’s the challenge sometimes. So glad you shared this because I always need reminded that I am not alone!
Yes, Tresta! Loneliness can stick so close at times. It feels especially pressing when I am struggling with my own unworthiness and therefore isolating myself more. Thank you for your thoughts here, friend. xoxo
Yes, living my limits and being encouraged at the same time! Thank you!
Thank you, Elizabeth. I really like that – “living my limits.” Happy to see you here.
Oh, so sweet and precious reminder of how big and patient His heart is. “Keep running, little bunny.” Okay. :)
Yes, Kim. Isn’t all encouragement really a pointing back to God — his heart, his love, his patience, his truth for his kids? Glad to see your sweet bunny self here.
Really letting your words sink in of how you coupled encouragement with self image. Our pastor spoke today about how before we were even placed in our mother’s womb we were in the minds of God. He called it “the dream of God”. It was a beautiful and meaningful meditation on our pro-life Sunday, and your post resonates with this. Isn’t just that, why we give into despair, because we think it does not matter, since we do not matter? Been missing my link ups with a busy life lately, (not a bad thing) but always glad to be a part of them by reading posts.
Cheers,
Leah
I love that idea, Leah — us as “the dream of God.” Wow. If that doesn’t put our value into perspective…
Thank you for continual place in this community, friend. You are special to me.
Holding hope for each other- love that thought! Thank you for your words, Ashley!
Thank you, Becky. Looking forward to getting to know you more!
What a beautiful gift you have given your readers and the world by offering this encouragement! Honey, you do this so gracefully with open eyes and arms.
I just love and adore you!
Thank you for bestowing the gifts of encouragement!
I adore you and am so grateful for the truth and grace-filled encouragement you give me continually. My life wouldn’t be the same without you, dear friend.