About the Author

Holley Gerth is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, counselor, and life coach. Her newest release is The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You. She's also wife to Mark, Mom to Lovelle, and Nana to Eula and Clem.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

    • Holly, thank you for your encouragement., especially about making mistakes and keep on trying. I am getting to know Him more every day and by his grace he’s healing my wounded heart and to never give up!

    • This was wonderful and I needed the encouragement…..I need to always remember to keep trying ….keep trying…never give up! Thank you:-)

  1. On New Year’s Day, I sincerely prayed that Jesus would bless everything my hands touched this year—that things within my grasp would flourish.

    Today I’m specifically hoping this applies to the egg rolls I’m going to attempt 😉

  2. “The one who is learning about her gifts and grace and how it all goes together.”
    🙂 that would be me.
    Trying to flesh out what exactly those gifts are this year. Why keep waiting? What on earth am I putting it off for? Hmmm…. didn’t I write about that last year? In this very space even!
    https://aws.incourage.me/2011/07/i-really-need-to-get-over-it.html
    Life derailed me for a bit last year but I’m getting back on track this year.
    At the insistence of my husband to just “go for it” and with his full support and encouragement I am working on it. I know the Lord is in it because He keeps bringing encouraging things across my path that carry me forward in confidence that I am on the right “trail”.
    Thanks, Holley. God used you once again to speak to me and encourage me.

  3. Thank you so much for this! This message blessed me so much this morning. I’m going to forward this to my youth group girls as well, only have them substitute school, practices, etc. for changing diapers or working in cubicles. This is something we all need to hear. So again, THANK YOU!! 🙂

  4. Beautifully said, Holley! Just what I (likely all of us) needed to hear. Thank you for your wonderful encouragement to be confident with who we are and purposeful where we are. Have a lovely day.

  5. I LOVE this. LOVE IT! Thank you.

    I often find myself wondering how I can change injustice, or comfort someone I don’t know- the reality is, I am already serving people close to me in good ways and the Lord loves that, too.

  6. I love this! Thank you so much for your encouragement. I pray you will be encouraged as much and even more as you encourage others.

  7. THANK-YOU HOLLY!!! I SO ENJOY YOUR POST EACH AND AND. SOMETHING YOU POST ALWAYS SPEAKS TO MY HEART. BLESSINGS.

  8. Holly…I love your posts…so honest and real…I just updated my blog bio…so I thought I would share it in response to your post…Beth Willis Miller, M.Ed., writes articles and speaks on a variety of topics to inspire and encourage others. Beth’s expertise as a creative and critical thinking specialist is steeped in years of experience as a writer, presenter, educator and former Florida Department of Education State Consultant for Gifted Education. She is passionate about encouraging others to develop their creative imaginations and critical thinking skills. She loves watching sunrises and sunsets and creating articles to inspire and encourage others. Seeing others’ lives transformed by the truth of God’s Word is her passion and her purpose. Beth understands the personal struggles others face spiritually, relationally, and emotionally. She has a unique ability to address those who have been rejected and abandoned, as she has survived and prevailed being conceived on Memorial Day, almost aborted on Columbus Day, placed for adoption on Valentine’s Day, and adopted on Easter. Beth is married with two grown children. Beth’s essay, Comfort Measures Only, was selected for the recently published book, A New Song: Glimpses of the Grace Journey, an anthology of essays, poems, stories and photos celebrating God’s grace on life’s journey (self-published and edited by Diane Kulkarni). For more information, see http://www.BethWillisMiller.blogspot.com which has had over 10,000 international page-views in the last two years.

  9. Oh, Holly! This spoke to my heart! My hubby and I are in the midst of applying to fost-adopt a sweet baby girl we’ve met, so this year promises to be glorious, messy, and Jesus-filled. 🙂 Lord-willing, we’ll be sending a teen to his first year in high school, sending a tween to his first year of middle school, enjoying the elementary years of two others AND changing diapers again. 🙂 Oh, there will be plenty of mistakes, but lots of laughing, learning and loving, as well! Thanks for the encouragement to press on… looking to Jesus with each step and, hopefully, looking a little more like Him along the way.

  10. Dear Holley,

    Wow! You truly are a treasure! Thank you so much for this post today. I need to read it and remember it often.

    Love and blessings,

  11. Goodness – how timely this post was for me. I am going through a transition time in a ministry I am involved in and it is hard. Part of me want to give up – but I will keep saying Yes. 🙂

  12. This made me smile big and you know what else makes me smile big? The Dayspring Christmas card my brother and sil rec’d that had your name on it; it hung on the fridge for all December and maybe a little in January. 🙂

    I hope you and Mark are well.

  13. Holly, as a wife, mother and grandmother I dearly want to change the world – at least my little corner, but I’m bound up in depression and financial woes and feel the enemy trying to force his way upon me more and more, and push my faith in my Saviour out.

    Right now I don’t feel strong, but I believe Jesus is my strength and in the end, the battle will be his. I know I’ve made many mistakes, some of which have led to where I’m at right now, but I also now I have a Saviour who forgives and redeems – not ony lives, but situations.

    If anybody feels led to pray for me, please do so, as with Jesus by my side I want to change the corner of the world I’m responsible for – to be redeemed and to redeem and to give God all the glory. Without Jesus I can do nothing!!!

    • Dear Kaye, I have a very good friend and prayer partner in my church named Kaye. She is a prayer warrior with me on a computer prayer chain we have in our church and I know that she (as a wife, mother, grandmother) as well as a lot of us in our senior church (including me) are facing problems in our own lives due to the problems in our country. The economy, the government pushing God out of so many facets of our families’ lives, our desire to change things but not sure just how. I have found answers through my church, my involvement in the Walk to Emmaus movement and the knowledge that God is still in control of this planet and my life. Every day that something seems to be going wrong for me or a family member or a friend, I call on my precious Savior, my Good Shepherd, Jesus. The answers are not always there …..that day, that week or even that month. But suddenly, I receive an email from a grandchild, a note from one of my children or hear a news flash on TV and I say, “Thank you, Lord. I asked for your help yesterday (or last week or last month) and You took care of that problem. You are always there for me as long as I remember to give you full charge of my life and my burdens as you told me to do. Matthew 11: 28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
      What we cannot do alone, Jesus can do if we remember to pray and say, “Thank you, Lord. I will serve you all my life long.”

  14. ………….just thank you for writing what you wrote. In writing it, perhaps you have allowed the Holy Spirit to change many worlds?! – Worlds we think are small, but very real and sometimes crushing and overwhelming. So – HERE’S TO HOPE!, may we remember HIS LOVE IS ALWAYS WITHIN OUR GRASP – SO GRASP!

  15. The photo you chose lifted me even before your words… 🙂 I am praying for His anointing even more this year, and your words speak His to me… even as He has been telling me to look for wonder in the ordinary of our lives and write those stories. Wonder… one of the the greatest is how he can take our words and shine them into others as He so beautifully does through you! Thanks, Holley!

  16. Holley, your posts are always so timely. My children ‘graduated out of homeschool’ and moved into public middle school last year. I struggle with feeling like I traded the important things like researching, preparing, and teaching their lessons…teaching them life skills from a homeschool environment, to filling the hours they are out of the house with errands, laundry, meal planning. I think the Lord is saying I have His permission to enjoy this time, to rest, to be available, to bloom in this season I find myself in, but sometimes I struggle with feeling like the things I previously did were so much more significant than what I’m doing now. Bless you for putting into words what my heart needed to embrace today!

  17. Sweet friend Holley,
    I recognized your voice in the the first line…I so love your writing!
    Thank you for your continuing encouraging words! I’m praying for you dear sister, that the Lord will keep you healthy, rested and inspired as you trust Him to provide all you need!
    Love you..

  18. Thanks for this Holley. I, too, face a transition as my church can’t afford to keep my position. Ministry was a second career for me after being a stay-at-home mom. So I’m old…and struggling with not having anything to do…and feeling like my seminary training will be wasted. Your post poses the question for me that perhaps Jesus just wants me to change the world where I am…and I just need to “be” for awhile and not “do”. And yet I’m moved by the urgency that the world needs to know my Savior who heals and redeems….such paradox in my faith!

  19. I think having an attitude of gratitude and staying on task to be encouraging and say nice things is going to be my whole years goal. Encouragement is free, it is easy, one doesn’t have to go to the store and purchase it, right in front of each of us is the gift of encouragement. Look around and see there is always something nice to say. Even if it is just ‘thank you’ have a nice day.

  20. This year I’m learning to live in the moment. To share the love of all that He has given to me right now, with those right here. If the Lord chooses to inlarge my territory that is His choice.
    This year I am learning to live without fear. To allow the love of the Lord to be sufficient for me.
    If I get weak, would someone remind me of this??

  21. Holley, that is so well said and right on. We all leave an imprint on others for Jesus the way we live and let His light shine through us to others. We are right where God wants us and we need to live sharing and loving others right in our circles where we are at this time and practice gratefulness for all He has given. I know sometimes I don’t want to be where I am and want Him to change my circumstances but I know deep down that is where I am to be and as He continues to mold and shape me . His desires become mine and I see and know how and who He wants me to encourage just like He encourages me. Loving and knowing Him lets me be me. Thanks for all you share with us.

  22. I totally agree — now, more than ever in history, each and every one of us has the opportunity to start ripples in the pond. If we each send out our message to maybe 50 people and those fifty send it on…. you get the picture. It’s happening. Climb aboard.

    This web site is most encouraging — pun unavoidable. 🙂

  23. Amen Holley! I need to learn what my gifts are and use them for His kingdom!

    Great Encouragement!

  24. Thank you for this post, Holley. I’ve been questioning whether I’m making a difference at all along with whether I’m at the right church. This reassures me that I can still be useful while I am trying to sort out just where I need to be and what I’m to be doing. For now, I’ll just keep on keeping on until I get some clear direction but with a sense of peace that I can possible be ministering even in time of uncertainty and transition. Your posts always lift me up, encourage me and you just seem to “get me”. Thank you for allowing God to use you in this powerful way to touch others’ lives with hope, encouragement and peace and joy!

  25. Thank you once again for sharing your gift of writing with all of us! I have said that many times, and as I keep receiving your ‘gift’ in my email box, I will probably say it again and again. 🙂
    This is such a truth every woman needs to hear – that we need to change ‘our corner’ of the world as He speaks to us individually. It’s spending time in His Word and praying and listening to what He would have us do – each and every day on our journey with Him.
    You touch many thru this web site and if the women above are like me, they send it to their daughters, mothers and friends as well! 🙂 How can we keep such truths to ourselves? 🙂
    May He continue to richly bless your life as you serve Him.
    Susan G.

  26. Thank you! I am feeling discouraged this morning. But reading your post, I felt like Jesus was telling me about my value to Him.

  27. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for the encouragement that I needed to day to deal with the crisis in my thinking.

  28. Thank you, Holley! You are such an encourager and my heart needed this today! Let’s change the world…one encouragement after another.

  29. Thanks for blessing my heart and for being my confirmation that I’m on the right path. I so related to the “Glorious, messy, Jesus-filled, you” part! This past couple of weeks have caused me to wonder if I was the one called for a specific project or if I just needed to bow out until I got myself more together.

    I haven’t finished unpacking all of the stuff from overseeing a special needs mission conference 2 months ago, and I now need to be preparing for two overseas special needs conferences in May. I keep walking past the mess and the clutter and wondering how do I think I’m the one God is calling when I can’t even keep on top of things now. I don’t have a really great answer for that, but you helped me to refocus on His provision, not my lack of ability, energy, or clean house.

    So, I will keep trying and will rejoice in being allowed to serve.

  30. trying to lean into the messiness, laughing and crying at the same time.
    Your words really touched me today. Really. Touched. Me.
    Thank you thank you thank you X

  31. Dear Holley,

    Thank you for being such an inspiration and blessing to so many. I continue to share your uplifting words with friends, family, and whoever I happen to come in contact with via e-mail. May God continue to bless you as you strive to do His will!

    In Christ,
    Bonnie McCoy

  32. This made me cry and smile. And made me hopeful and happy. I am always amazed (thought I really shouldn’t be) that every day, I find the exact thing I need to hear on (in) courage. You have blessed me and my heart…

  33. Holley Thank you for being a world changer in the lives of those who read every word you write. You are using your gifts and talents to bring Jesus to us in the written words of encouragement. Be blessed as you continue to change the world.

  34. DEAR HOLLEY,
    YOU ARE A WORLD CHANGER BY CONTINUING TO CHANGE OUR HEARTS THROUGH YOUR LOVE, ENCOURAGING WORDS, AND BIBLE-FILLED WORDS OF HOPE. NO ONE READING YOUR TRUTH-FILLED BLOGS WILL EVER QUIT FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST, AND LOVING AND SERVING HIM! I HAVE GIVEN YOUR GOD’S HEART FOR YOU BOOK TO MANY OF THE WOMEN IN MY LIFE WHO HAVE MEANT A LOT TO ME. BE BLESSED!!!

  35. Thank You Holley for your encouraging e-mails. I was just talking to Jesus this morning about what I should be doing with my life for him this year and in the future. It seems that whatever is on my heart, you write about that day. Talking about hearing from the Lord, you truly do, Thank You and keep on doing this ministry because it truly is a ministry and you encourage so many people with your wonderful and inspiring words of love!!

  36. You are WONDERFUL, Holley!!! You inspire me! Thank you is not enough. I will keep doing the liitle bit that God affords me. Bless you and I love you. You too are a world changer.

  37. This is my 78th birthday. And I feel as tho’ you wrote this just for me (except for the changing diapers bit). ~ My word for this year is “mindful”. I determine to not let the world change me, but for my influence to change the world…wherever, however and whoever Jesus wants it done, through me.

  38. Dear Holley,
    for more than a year now I have raced to my computer in the morning (usually very early to get some time in before the kids are up!!) to see what Holley’s been thinking on…. I love that you are so honest about your journey with Jesus… have you noticed how so many of us really respond to that sincerity?! I find I’ve really been pondering your message about the “little things” that Jesus is encouraging you to focus on… it really seems to have hit a nerve…
    Thankyou 😉

  39. Thanks…you such an encourager! I have prayed for Kaye, Cathy, Shelly, Sue. I pray some of you will be led to pray for my daughter…..her job situation is serious; her EX keeps finding things to “stir up” for her/their son. Thanks for prayers.

  40. Holley.
    I
    Love
    Your
    Writing
    Into
    My
    Heart
    For
    Jesus’
    Sake!
    I was watching Dolphin Tale (again) with Ravinia (who got it for Christmas) and it ends with a song challenging, “How you gonna live your life like the dream you have is real?” and I kept thinking of you, and God-sized dreams, and how maybe I don’t have one, and yet I’ve had many dreams which when they come true I realize afterward they have because they don’t look like what I thought they would, and right now I don’t have so much a dream as a really growing life that God is holding my hand through.
    And you know how you wrote about “small?” Mother Theresa’s famous “No one can do great things for God, only small things with great love” came to my head this morning (yeah, slow thinker these days!) and I thought of you. Great love, thank you for pouring it out so lavishly that God brings many of us to drink from your cup of his love! I’m so glad you’re here. now. sister.

  41. I have always believed in Jesus our christ and savior. However, lately my work stress has really taught me to trust in Jesus and let him carry me. I would not have made it these last few months, had it not been for Him carrying me. He has given me a renewed strength that not anyone else can give me. I am truly blessed to know Him and to get your loving and thoughtful messages. Thanks for being one of God’s angels!
    Blessings to you and yours.

  42. Thank you so much Holly. I so needed to hear (read) this.
    You have totally changed the consistency of my birthday weekend. It’s kind of like a yummy dessert now.
    It’s going to be a very good year.
    Fabulous!

  43. Holley, You have such a gift for saying things that really touch the heart. I read what you wrote and I just felt so loved and important and special and……….. Thank you, dear friend. Keep listening to the Spirit and help us feel worthy of His amazing love!

  44. WOW! I needed that, how did you know how I have been feeling? I am so blessed to have found this website! I pray for you guys and thank you so much!!!

  45. thank you, Holley! one decision at a time 🙂 I’m so thankful for the promise that we move from glory to glory! even when it feels like I’m not doing my best, I rest in the hope that God is in control and knows what He’s doing in my heart and will change me as long as I remain surrendered 🙂
    blessings!

  46. I came home from work and read this in my email. i was so tired and not in the frame of mind to really let this post really perculate.
    I just read this again and it really touches my heart. Somehow we think that unless we do something big with some extraordinary gift we are not doing enough. i feel like this a lot. Thank you Holley for reminding us that being ourselves the way we are, walking with Jesus is what the world needs.
    i too, want to just encourage everyone reading this that we have this fantastic oppportunity to reach the world with being like Jesus wherever we are, whatever we are doing. God bless you all-my sisters……………

  47. Holly, your words greet so many of us each day at the perfect time. It is through the simple and eloquent verses that we see the perfect picture of our loving Saviors hand in our lives. I was moved to tears by your words this morning my friend. Thank you for making a difference in all of our lives for his glory.

  48. You did it again, Holley. Grabbing my face in your hands… all I could think about was the hands of Jesus … and His eyes looking into mine. I long for the day when I can sit in His lap, lay my head on His chest, and just breathe. Just be. Meanwhile, life is filled with our two special needs sons, their behaviors, their needs, their appointments. Finally, though, I think I’m getting past the anger at the state agency who placed them here, lying to us about their condition. And I finally might be getting past the anger at the biological folks who did horrid things to my little men to put them in the shape they are in. I used to say I was holding onto Jesus… but that’s really wrong. I’m carved in His hands… and He’s holding onto me… that way I KNOW that staying connected has nothing to do with my abilities and my strength… because, frankly, that’s all gone. All spent on two very needy little boys.

    Enduring like a good soldier in Texas,
    debbie (who LOVES Jesus!)

  49. Thank you once again Holley.You prayed for me almost 2 weeks ago And so did. Get a great interim job. I believe it is Gods call since its real far away.I was standing in Macys readinthos yesterday I went to buy a coat since I live on Fla. And I’m.going to N Dakota I put my name in for a,drawing for a prize as I took the time to read this among all the loud noise Then I heard the DJ call my name! I won a,n awesome lancombe gift basket! I would not have been there of o didn’need the coat for this new assignment!! I believe God was reassuring me Yes, He wants me to Ho To make a difference To change the world!
    God Bless you for your unending encouragement!
    Love Dottie

  50. I am always amazed at how HE finds me and how HE blesses me. It is all so amazingly mysterious and healing! Thanks for the cheer! God bless you each and every moment!

    😀

  51. I had to laugh when I read the “Change the Paper In The Printer” person.
    Oh my gosh, that is ME ! Plus, I’m the ONLY one that puts staples in the stapler!
    But….. I am going ahead being “ME” and trying to SHOW by my smiles, hugs, positive attitude and invites to church, that I am a Christian and I welcome anyone else to come along on the journey. God Bless You !

  52. Holley, I told my girl tonight she was sure to change the world, and when she refuted, I used your words here to convince her otherwise. So thank you, beautiful heart friend, for encouraging my girl {as well as her mama}. I love you always and forever!

  53. Do you know how much I appreciate the fact that your changing the world involves just keeping on plugging away instead of tackling the new? Rest for weary souls. You’re a blessing.

  54. We all need to remember we can change the world right where we are, and one person at a time. Diaper changers are incredibly important one person changers – or two or three, or whole classrooms.
    Thank you for the reminder

  55. What a great way to start my week! Thank you for being you Holley! God bless you cause you sure do bless us!!!

  56. Holley, Holley, Holley…..God’s love and grace is abundant to you!!! It shows with the words HE gives you to express to us just how much HE cherishes us, HIS children!! Because you are so available to HIM with an open heart, HE speaks to us through you just when we need to hear what our hearts ache for! You, Holley, are loved!!!!
    I just wish it didn’t take soooo long to learn about ‘my gifts and grace and how it all goes together.’ And yet I know it is in HIS time and in HIS way! I will bless and lift HIS name on high while I am waiting!

  57. Holley,
    Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I want to let you know that I purchased your book as soon as it came out. I ordered 5 copies to share with others. I showed one to my mom and she purchased 12 copies to give to all the women in her life. Now at least one of those women has purchased a copy for one of her friends.

    Your encouragement is reaching many. Keep up the good work! It is needed.